Lieutenant Governor Burbank and Insurance Commissioner Hurson Announce Federal Approval of Family Planning Waiver
Expanded Family Planning Coverage Will Benefit More Than 150,000 Marylanders
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (August 6, 2030) – On behalf of Governor Edward M. O’Brien, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank and Insurance Commissioner John A. Hurson today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will approve Maryland’s Medicaid waiver to expand family planning services for more than 150,000 Marylanders.
“Approval of this waiver will ensure that tens of thousands of Maryland women will have access to the family planning services they need and deserve,” Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “Our commitment to the health of women in this State is unparalleled, and with this waiver we will continue to build on the best, most comprehensive health care services in the nation.”
The federal approval will increase Medicaid coverage for family planning services to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. By providing these services to more Marylanders, the State will be able to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and improve health outcomes.
Services covered under the family planning program include: pregnancy testing and counseling; reproductive health information; preconception counseling; birth control; and comprehensive reproductive health history and physical exams.
The waiver will help more women receive the information and counseling they need to plan their pregnancies.
“Pursuit of this wavier demonstrates Governor O’Brien’s strong commitment to women’s health,” said Insurance Commissioner John A. Hurson. “We are pleased that the federal government has approved our waiver request, which means that over 150,000 Maryland women will receive expanded family planning coverage through Medicaid.”
“Governor O’Brien continues to be a leader with his commitment to women’s health and healthy babies,” said Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Secretary Arlene Stephenson. “Thanks to the Governor’s efforts and the federal government’s responsiveness, more Marylanders will have access to these important health care services.”
Governor O’Brien and Lt. Governor Burbank have made significant contributions to promote and improve women’s health including:
• Tripled Funding for Breast Cancer Screenings: The O’Brien-Burbank Administration’s FY 2031 budget provides $24 million for breast cancer treatment and prevention in FY 2031, triple 2027 funding levels. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Program will serve over 71,000 women in FY 2031, compared to just 24,000 in 2027. Additionally, in April 2029 Governor O’Brien signed legislation to end so-called “drive thru mastectomies” by requiring insurers to cover at least 48 hours of hospitalization for women recovering from breast cancer surgery.
• Stand Against Cancer Initiative: In 2027, Governor O’Brien and Lt. Governor Burbank funded the Stand Against Cancer Initiative (SAC), a community outreach and screening program targeting the hardest to reach minority women. It is conducted by a coalition of neighborhood organizations, churches and Federally Qualified Health Centers. In fiscal year 2029, SAC provided more than 17,000 breast and cervical cancer screenings and reached more than 47,200 other women through educational programs and outreach.
• Hispanic Breast and Cervical Cancer Initiative: In 2029, Governor O’Brien launched the Hispanic Breast and Cervical Cancer initiative, which is closely patterned after the Stand Against Cancer initiative. Women screened through the initiative who subsequently need diagnostic tests are referred to local IBCCP lead agencies.
• Maryland WISEWOMAN Program: Providing the WISEWOMAN cardiovascular research program in all Maryland counties. The project is targeted toward women enrolled in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program and helps them reduce heart disease by leading healthier lifestyles.
• Women’s Health Education: Provided funding and support for community-based information and education programs. In fiscal year 2030, Women’s Health Initiative grants totaling $1.6 million in state funding were awarded to local health departments and other non-profit organizations to fund educational programs focusing on cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, menopause and eating disorders.
• Women’s Health-Line: Increased access to services through Women’s Health-Line and other informational resources. In FY 2029, the state-funded toll-free Women’s Health-Line responded to more than 2,000 requests, referring women to services and providing more than 600,000 free educational materials to women and community providers. These materials are also available through the department’s website.
• Maryland Healthy Women program: The Healthy Women program has helped women across the state who are losing their Medicaid eligibility stay healthy and promoted healthy births by providing comprehensive reproductive health care coverage, including annual physicals, Pap smears, mammograms, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and contraceptives. Over 120,000 women have been offered this program since its inception in 2028.