Mid-Atlantic Health Law TOPICS

Dental and Other Health Professionals: Did you know that in 2025, Maryland enacted a new law increasing the flexibility of the licensing process for certain dental professionals who are licensed in other states? The new law also calls for the development of a plan for authorizing former federal employees to practice certain health occupations in Maryland.

Gender Affirming Care: Did you know that, in December of 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued two proposed rules that, if implemented, would further restrict gender-affirming care? The first proposed rule would prohibit hospitals enrolled in Medicare from treating gender dysphoria in minors with common treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgical procedures. Providers that fail to adhere to the Condition of Participation risk being terminated from receiving Medicare payments for all services, and there are few, if any, hospitals that could survive without that funding. The second proposed rule prohibits Medicaid funds administered by states from being used for gender affirming care for minors. States would have to rely exclusively on state funding to continue to provide these services. If either rule is finalized, a wide range of legal challenges are anticipated.

Kennedy M. Hagens
410-576-4146 • khagens@gfrlaw.com