For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Council Supports Healthy Maryland Initiative to Expand Access to Health Care for Uninsured
The Montgomery County Council today gave its unanimous support to a state initiative that would expand access to health care for Maryland’s uninsured, help small business to afford health care coverage for their employees, and fund comprehensive anti-smoking programs.
The effort, dubbed the “Healthy Maryland Initiative,” would fund these programs by raising the state’s tobacco tax by $1 per pack. It is supported by County Executive Doug Duncan.
“Montgomery County has just doubled funding for Montgomery Cares, our program designed to provide access to uninsured County residents,” said Council President George Leventhal. “But much more needs to be done.
“With more funding, the State of Maryland can expand access to health care for thousands of families under the state’s HealthChoice program. We can offset a portion of small business costs to cover employees. And we can fully fund our efforts to reduce teen and adult smoking.”
Release ID: 06-067