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SB 240

Office of Health Care Quality Stakeholder Advisory Council - Establishment

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Young

Maryland bill creates health care quality stakeholder advisory council to advise state regulators on patient safety, treatment standards, and health policy matters.

Hearing 2/03 at 2:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 240

Legislative bill overview

SB 240 would establish a Stakeholder Advisory Council within Maryland's Office of Health Care Quality to provide input on health care quality matters. The council would bring together representatives from various healthcare sectors, patient advocates, and other stakeholders to advise the office on policy and regulatory issues affecting health care quality in the state.

Why is this important

Health care quality oversight affects patient safety, treatment standards, and healthcare costs for all Maryland residents. By formalizing a stakeholder advisory process, the bill aims to ensure that diverse perspectives—from providers, patients, and public health experts—inform state health care quality decisions, potentially improving both policy effectiveness and public trust in regulatory processes.

Potential points of contention

  • Representation balance: Determining who gets seats on the council and whether all stakeholder groups (hospitals, individual physicians, patient advocates, insurance companies) receive proportional representation could be contentious
  • Advisory vs. binding authority: Clarity on whether council recommendations are truly advisory or carry implicit regulatory weight may create tension between stakeholders and state officials
  • Resource allocation: Establishing and operating the council requires state funding, which some may view as unnecessary bureaucratic overhead during budget constraints

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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