The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore resulted in tragedy, with six deaths and numerous workers losing their jobs due to the closure of the Port of Baltimore. Fortunately, federal, state, and local officials have come together to provide support for these workers during this difficult time.
One crucial program that has been instrumental in assisting laid-off workers is the legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2021 with the help of the Maryland Health Care For All Coalition. This legislation allows individuals filing for unemployment insurance to easily begin the process of enrolling in affordable health insurance by checking a box on their unemployment application.
This initiative has been successful in providing a straightforward way for laid-off workers to access health insurance. According to a recent report from the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE), over the past year, 68,483 individuals started the enrollment process by checking the box on their unemployment application, with 24,278 enrolling in coverage—18,520 in Medicaid and 5,758 in private plans.
It is encouraging to hear that those affected by the Key Bridge collapse have been utilizing this provision to secure health insurance while applying for unemployment benefits. This innovative approach has been made possible thanks to the efforts of key sponsors such as Sen. Jim Rosapepe and Del. Lorig Charkoudian, who championed the idea and successfully got it passed.
Moving forward, the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition will continue to advocate for additional steps to further improve access to affordable health insurance for all residents. The hope is that other states and the federal government will take note of Maryland’s progress and follow suit in making health insurance more accessible for everyone.