2015 Advocacy Day: CASBHC Bill Has Passed!

MASBHC held its annual Advocacy Day on Monday February 9th. The event was a success with MASBHC representatives from Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and the Eastern Shore visiting over 35 legislators. MASBHC was also thrilled to have our SBHC student representatives from Northwood High School participate in Advocacy Day this year. The legislators were very excited to hear firsthand from the students the benefits of a school-based health centers in their school and what it has meant to them.

The focus of MASBHC advocacy this year was to support a bill that would reorganize and update an existing state SBHC leadership council that was codified in 2002. Given the dramatic changes to our health care system, an update to the council was deemed necessary to better meet the needs of SBHC’s in Maryland. The bill was the Council for the Advancement of School Based Health Bill. This bill was sponsored by our legislative champions, Delegate Bonnie Cullison and Senator Rich Madaleno. MASBHC felt that it was critical to support this new bill because it would bring together the right people to ensure school based health centers are part of the emerging health and education reform efforts.

In March, the bill was heard in both the House and Senate committees. MASBHC was thrilled to have two students from Northwood High School return to Annapolis to testify in support of the bill when it was heard in the House committee.

MASBHC is very thrilled to let our members know that our advocacy efforts paid off and the Council for the Advancement of School Based Health bill has passed! MASBHC is so thankful for the wonderful leadership, efforts, and advocacy of Robyn Elliot and Public Policy Partners and the leadership and vision of our champions in the House and Senate – Delegate Cullison and Senator Madeleno!