Upcoming bill on State Prescription Plan
Please review this bill which will be heard on March 19, 2026 in the House.
Go to Maryland General Assembly website. This bill was designed to catch those retirees that were hired prior to 2011. You have time to call and email your representatives with your concerns. Don’t leave your future up to someone else. You can also testify on March 19, 2026, at the hearing, but will need to register on the Maryland General Assembly website and prepare a 2 minute statement. This legislation may not get much traction, but there is still interest.
You have almost a month to take some action.
HB 696 – State Prescription Drug Benefits – Retirees
Authorizing certain retirees who began State service before July 1, 2011, to be eligible for prescription drug benefits in the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, specifying that prescription drug benefits shall be discontinued for certain Medicare-eligible retirees who began State service on or after July 1, 2011, and their Medicare-eligible spouses and dependent children, repealing three Maryland State Retiree Prescription drug programs that provide coverage and assistance to certain retirees; etc.
House Appropriations Committee: Hearing: March 19, 2026 – 1:00 p.m.
The MSPAA members will provide written/oral testimony. State representatives will also testify.
Steps to Testify (2026 Session):
- Create/Sign in to MyMGA: Visit the Maryland General Assembly website and click “MyMGA” in the top right.
- Sign Up: Select “Witness Sign Up,” choose the committee and bill, and specify if you are testifying in person or via Zoom.
- Submit Written Testimony: Upload your testimony in PDF format through the portal. Written testimony is public and posted online.
- Prepare for the Hearing: For Zoom, ensure your display name matches your registration exactly. Be prepared for a 2-minute time limit.
- Deadlines: Sign up at least two business days before the hearing; late testimony may be accepted but not posted in advance.
- Constraints: Note that for certain bills heard in 2025, committees may only hear from the bill sponsor or a limited number of proponents/opponents.
Tips for Success:
- Be Concise: Keep oral testimony to 2 minutes, focusing on key points.
- Technical Setup: Use Chrome or Edge for the best browser experience, or Safari for Apple devices.
- Monitor the Hearing: Watch the live stream on the MGA website to know when your bill is called.
