Healthcare-Now of Maryland has sought to have single-payer legislation introduced and passed in Maryland. Over the years, bills have been introduced in the House of Delegates, the Senate or both chambers.

For the last two years, it has made a concerted effort to have single-payer legislation filed in both the House of Delegates and the Senate. Health care questionnaires with information regarding single-payer were sent to all of the legislators. Sponsors and co-sponsors were solicited.

In the 2007 legislative session, Senator Paul Pinsky (D-P.G.), a long-time single-payer supporter, introduced S.B. 474. His legislation had four co-sponsors. In the House, Delegate Karen Montgomery (D-Mont.) cross-filed H.B. 400. Her bill had twenty-two co-sponsors, eight more than the single-payer bill she filed in 2006.

Hearings were held before the Senate Finance Committee and the Health and Government Operations Committee. A single-payer-briefing packet of about 100 pages was developed by Healthcare-Now of Maryland and Physicians For a National Health Plan and distributed to every member serving on the two committees. Healthcare-Now of Maryland organized panels to speak on behalf of the legislation. Doctors, medical professionals, small-business owners, clergy, consumers, advocates for the homeless, academics and labor activists gave compelling testimony in support of the legislation. No committee votes were taken but there will likely be a strong push to pass substantive health care legislation subsequently Healthcare-Now of Maryland fully intends to re-introduce single-payer legislation and be deeply involved in the health care debate.