In addition, the legislature passed a series of bills to regulate pharmacy benefit managers. The effort comes after companies including CVS/Caremark Corp. and Medco Health Solutions Inc. have settled with state regulators in cases involving consumers allegedly being switched from lower- to higher-cost medications without any medical benefit.
Those bills, which become effective in October, require pharmacy benefit managers to register with the Maryland Insurance Administration and to disclose information about drug changes and rebates received from drug manufacturers.
Del. Peter A. Hammen, a Baltimore Democrat and chairman of the Health and Government Operations Committee, said the measures could lead to lower costs for consumers. About 95 percent of Maryland patients get their prescription drug coverage through such companies.
"This represents the first real effort to appropriately regulate pharmacy benefit managers in the country," Hammen said.
laura.smitherman@baltsun.com
Health care laws that take effect today
* Expand eligibility for Medicaid to parents with incomes up to 116 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, or about $20,500 for a family of three;
* Create a subsidy to encourage small employers to offer health insurance;
* Require notices be sent to taxpayers whose children may be eligible for Medicaid
Other laws that go into effect today
* Strengthen penalties against manufacturers of toys and other products containing lead;
* Bolster environmental protections by increasing the setback for new development on rural shorelines from 100 to 200 feet and requiring energy-efficient and environmentally friendly design and materials for new state buildings and public schools;
* Outlaw slot machine-like electronic gambling devices that have proliferated in Maryland in recent years;
* Extend certain spousal rights to unmarried straight or gay couples who declare themselves domestic partners, including hospital visitation and property transfer tax exemptions
