This week, Maryland's General Assembly convened for the 435th time. Political pundits are saying that, in many ways, this is a historic session. For the first time in nearly a decade, Marylanders have a new governor, and with more than 40 percent of delegates and 25 percent of senators new to their office, there are fresh ideas and momentum for change.

With so many unfamiliar faces in Annapolis, MHA has been, and will be, spending a good deal of time and energy helping legislators understand the issues important to hospitals. In turn, we'll be listening to the state's new representatives, who are finding their voice and identifying their priorities as they settle into their new roles.

The issues of greatest importance to hospitals - reducing the Medicaid tax, fixing the behavioral health system and improving the medical liability environment - are large, complex problems, with very strong voices on all sides of the debates. We'll be pushing for long-term, well-reasoned solutions and any forward progress is a positive sign.

The matters are made even more complex because Gov.-elect Larry Hogan is projected to inherit a $750 million shortfall when he takes office next week. Pair that with his agenda to reduce taxes and, while there doesn't seem to be much financial wiggle room for other priorities, we continue to press our message that working to eliminate the Medicaid hospital tax is actually a long-term money-saver for the state.

That said, conversations with the governor-elect and his key appointees have been encouraging. At a reception MHA held in December, the governor-elect was genuinely impressed at the more than 100,000 jobs and $15 billion in spending that Maryland's hospitals contribute directly to the state's economy. David Brinkley, the new budget secretary, is highly fluent in the state's fiscal affairs, a well-respected moderate who can work on both sides of the aisle, and someone MHA has worked with in the past. Van Mitchell, the new health secretary, is an Annapolis veteran who understands the importance of hospitals - not only for Marylanders' physical health, but for Maryland's economic health. (Mitchell will join MHA's Executive Committee later this month for an open conversation.)

Contact: Mike Robbins