Oct 29, 2026 - HHS Committee Worksession

The Montgomery County Council Health and Human Services Committee held a worksession on the county’s healthcare safety net and the effects of federal Medicaid and SNAP eligibility changes. Staff and providers reviewed Montgomery Cares, Care for Kids, reproductive health services, and the Montgomery Perinatal Program. Montgomery Cares is administered by the Primary Care Coalition, and reproductive health services are being delivered through contracts with Mary’s Center and CCI, with plans to expand access to additional health centers. The county’s healthcare-for-the-uninsured programs receive more than $20 million in general funds. Montgomery Cares encounters rose from 61,000 in FY23 to 82,000 in FY26, compared with stated FY27 capacity of 78,000 appointments; the committee also heard about a request for 1.5 FTEs—a nurse and health educator—for the Babies Born Healthy program.

The committee discussed declines in Care for Kids participation, provider capacity, and potential coverage losses, including impacts on residents relying on disability and home- and community-based waiver services. Staff said supplemental funding requests, including support for the affected residents and the requested positions, were expected before the committee on November 18. No procurement award or spending vote was reported. Members requested follow-up information on appointment wait-time calculations and other program comparisons, and discussed outreach and coordination with community partners.