Governor Martin O'Malley today joined Speaker of the House Michael E. Busch to celebrate landmark legislation to expand medical coverage to more than 100,000 uninsured Marylanders and encourage eligible families to enroll in the expanded program.

The Governor was also joined by Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary John Colmers, Department of Human Resources Secretary Brenda Donald, state and local lawmakers, and members of the HealthCare for All Coalition and the AARP.

Prior to the legislation, Maryland had almost 800,000 residents who were uninsured, and was ranked 44th in providing healthcare for parents through Medicaid. As a result of the legislation, Maryland has moved up to the 21st position, becoming one of the nation's least restrictive states in providing health care to adults and children most in need.

The Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act creates the Medical Assistance to Families program, a Medicaid expansion effective July 1, 2008 that covers parents with incomes up to $20,500 for a family of three, 116 percent of the federal poverty level.

The Medical Assistance to Families program provides eligible parents or other family members of children with access to quality health care services that include doctors' visits, hospital stays and lower co-pays for prescription drugs.

It also creates the Health Insurance Partnership beginning in October to help lower the cost of health insurance for Maryland's small businesses. The Health Insurance Partnership helps very small employers who have not been able to offer health insurance in the past to provide health insurance to their employees. Eligible small businesses will be able to buy health insurance at about half the cost and rewards individuals for efforts to improve their health.

In addition to the healthcare expansion, earlier this year, Governor O'Malley signed legislation that provides prescription drug assistance for thousands of Maryland's seniors, by helping close the coverage gap in the federal government's Medicare Part D prescription drug program, known as the "donut hole." In addition, Governor O'Malley signed legislation that expanded dental benefits to Maryland's most vulnerable children.