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Health Groups Push Individual Mandate in Maryland

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Health organizations in Maryland are backing a proposal to create an individual health care mandate at the state level.

Several groups and lawmakers will gather in Annapolis on Wednesday to endorse legislation in the Maryland General Assembly that would revive the mandate that was gutted at the federal level. But instead of requiring those who remain uninsured to pay a penalty, the measure would require them to pay a down payment on health insurance.

The measure stalled last year in Annapolis, but supporters are hoping the idea is gaining momentum and will have the votes this year.

Supporters say the bill has more than 80 co-sponsors in the General Assembly.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.