2025 Maryland Legislative Agenda

Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold new public policies that promote cancer prevention, early detection of cancer, and expand access to quality, affordable health care. Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of Marylanders impacted by cancer, and the leadership of elected officials is vital to defeating this disease.  

In 2025, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) worked with the Maryland General Assembly on the following priorities: 

Ensuring Access to Quality Care

• Prescription Drug Affordability: Working with the All Copays Count coalition, ACS CAN successfully advocated for legislation that restricts the use of so-called copay accumulator adjustments in health insurance plans.  This bill ensures third-party prescription drug copay assistance is counted toward patients’ out-of-pocket cost obligations.  Awaiting the Governor’s signature. 

• Guaranteeing Cost-Free Preventive Services: HB974 requires the Maryland Insurance Commissioner to enforce the requirement that each carrier provide coverage for specified preventive services without cost-sharing requirements consistent with the recommendations and guidelines in effect on December 31, 2024, as set by related federal rules or guidance. Awaiting the Governor’s signature. 

Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

• Breast and Cervical Cancer: Despite enormous pressure because of Maryland’s budget deficits, funding for the Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCEDP) was able to be maintained at $13.23 million. 

• Cancer Center Funding: $15 million was restored for the Sidney Kimmel and Greenebaum Cancer Centers.  In addition, $25 million in capital funding for the University of Maryland Medical System Comprehensive Cancer and Organ Transplant Center was approved. 

• Biomarker Testing: An attempt to delay biomarker testing coverage within Medicaid was defeated. 

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco

• Smoke-free Air: SB934 / HB1318, which would have significantly increased the number of “cigar bars” in Maryland, was defeated.   

• Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program funds were reduced by $5.7 million to the statutory minimum of $18.25 million. 

Cancer Research Funding 

• Research Appropriations: $15 million was restored for the Sidney Kimmel and Greenebaum Cancer Centers.  In addition, $25 million in capital funding for the University of Maryland Medical System Comprehensive Cancer and Organ Transplant Center was approved.