Maryland healthcare access group launches campaign for prescription drug cost caps
WYPR – 88.1 FM Baltimore |
By
Sarah Petrowich
Published August 12, 2026 at 4:34 PM EDT
Elise Amendola/AP
/
AP
Maryland Health Care For All – a statewide nonprofit working to expand healthcare access – launched a campaign on Wednesdayto persuade political candidates to support capping drug costs
The coalition is calling on candidates to back a proposal that would allow the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) to set upper payment limits for drug costs in Maryland
Maryland Health Care For All President Vincent DeMarco explains those upper payment limits would match the Maximum Fair Price for drugs negotiated by the Medicare program
“We would save hundreds of millions of dollars, if not more, because right now we’re being charged way too much for these drugs. Medicare is getting a reasonable amount for them. We should get that same amount here in Maryland,” DeMarco said
The cost caps would be in effect for all purchasers of drugs in Maryland, including those who don’t have health insurance who buy prescription drugs directly, insurance companies and state and local governments
Effective January 2027, PDAB will impose limits for two weight-loss and diabetes drugs by state and local governments, Ozempic and Jardiance
PDAB estimates state and local governments will save $5.8 million a year when purchasing Ozempic, including for government employees, and about $320,000 per year on the purchase of Jardiance
In 2028, the board will be able to set upper limits on the two drugs for all purchasers in Maryland
There are already 25 drugs with a Maximum Fair Price, and the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is looking to roll out caps for another 15 drugs by 2028
“This is a really important way to make the Prescription Drug Affordability Board better able to help Marylanders, and they can focus their attention on drugs not covered by Medicare. [Drugs used by] kids or adults who are not on Medicare, or newer drugs, and really help all Marylanders,” DeMarco said
Maryland Health Care for All has sent letters to every candidate for the General Assembly and governor, urging them to commit to supporting the legislation by September 30
DeMarco says the proposal is already gaining traction
“We’ve had legislators say to us, of course, Marylanders shouldn’t be paying more for these drugs than Medicare is. So let’s do that right away. Let’s let our board do that right away. So I think there will be lots of support,” he said
The coalition will announce which candidates decided to back the proposal in October
