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October 14, 2026 

Media Contact:​
Amanda Hils, Assistant Director for Media Relations, [email protected]

Maryland state agencies and partners collaborate to keep Marylanders covered amid H.R. 1 changes 

Third cross-agency roundtable focuses on coordinated outreach, simpler processes and community partnerships to protect health coverage and food assistance

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​BALTIMORE, MD —  Maryland’s health and human services leaders, providers and community partners convened today for the third in a series of cross-agency H.R. 1 roundtables to coordinate efforts to keep Marylanders covered and connect families with resources.

​The event brought together the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) and Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) with community members in Prince George’s County. Building on earlier discussions, participants shared perspectives on the ground and explored how agencies and trusted partners can align outreach, simplify processes and help residents maintain health coverage and food assistance.

These efforts come as eligibility changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are already taking effect. Up to 80,000 Marylanders may now need to report work hours to keep their food assistance. Under H.R.1 changes to federal programs, 4,500 individuals in Maryland lost access to Medicaid coverage on Oct. 1 based on immigration status. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, 320,000 Marylanders will be subject to work and community engagement requirements and twice-annual renewals in order to stay covered under Medicaid (more here). Maryland’s current estimate is that as many as 152,000 individuals may lose Medicaid coverage due to the new requirements. 

“Health coverage gives Marylanders access to the care, medications and support they need,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. “We are working across state government and with trusted community partners to help people understand these federal changes, complete required steps and keep their coverage. Hearing from and working with our community partners helps us identify barriers and focus our efforts where support is needed most.”

“Proactive, coordinated outreach—including collaborative events like today’s cross-agency roundtable—has helped approximately 40,000 more Marylanders maintain SNAP access compared to average national declines since H.R. 1 passed,” said Acting Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Stacy L. Rodgers. “As these federal changes take effect, DHS remains committed to removing barriers so every eligible Marylander continues to receive the essential food assistance they need.”

“Maryland has worked to preserve access to affordable coverage in our individual market, despite a challenging federal environment,” said Maryland Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant. “We urge consumers to shop with Maryland Health Connection to find the plan that best works for them for 2027. We also urge consumers to be cautious of fraudulent or unauthorized health plan offers.” 

“We know that Marylanders may need help understanding federal changes to health coverage,” said Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Executive Director​ Johanna Fabian-Marks. “Find free help near you at www.MarylandHealthConnection.gov/help. You can get support by phone, online, or in person.” 

Key discussion topics included:

• Coordinating efforts across agencies and community organizations to keep Marylanders connected to health coverage and food assistance.
• Equipping community partners with consistent information, outreach materials and resources to help residents understand and respond to federal changes.
• Hearing community concerns and identifying where Marylanders need additional support to navigate changes and maintain benefits.
• Simplifying applications and renewals through available flexibility and automation where possible.
• Strengthening partnerships and aligning communications, health information technology and data-sharing efforts to reach affected residents.

State agencies are working to consistently outreach to the hundreds of thousands of Marylanders impacted by federal changes to SNAP and Medicaid. Governor Moore recently mailed and emailed a letter to impacted Marylanders highlighting state resources available to help maintain food assistance and health coverage amid these changes.

Agencies are also expanding assistance and equipping community partners with practical tools. The Medicaid Check-In campaign targets impacted Marylanders with information and direction - while equipping providers, employers, and community partners with tools to support them, including free fact sheets, FAQs and digital outreach materials in 13 languages. DHS has launched an H.R. 1  SNAP communications toolkit  along with a new interactive tool to search employment and training resources. 

Impacted Marylanders on Medicaid are encouraged to update their contact information, read official notices and complete renewals by the deadlines provided. Medicaid Check-In resources are available for members, providers and employers. 

SNAP customers can visit DHS’ Important Changes to SNAP Benefits webpage for guidance or Maryland Benefits to apply for or renew benefits.


The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management, and community engagement. 

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