The new law is in part of response to the Trump administration's efforts to kill the Affordable Care Act, along with the end of the mandate requiring people to have insurance or else pay a tax penalty. (Photo: Bloomberg)

New legislation signed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is a bipartisan effort to help the state's uninsureds find affordable health care coverage.

As reported by the Associated Press, the law could prove to be a model for other states. Said Stan Dorn, director of the National Center for Coverage Innovation, “We haven't begun beating the drum, and we've already heard from Oregon, New Mexico and Virginia. I'm expecting we're going to hear from state capitals all around the country, interested in following up with what's happened here.”

What's happened is this: by checking a box on their state income tax returns, uninsured taxpayers will have their tax return information checked by the state's health care exchange to see if they qualify for low-cost insurance coverage. Those who qualify for Medicaid will be enrolled automatically, while the exchange will reach out to people who qualify for private coverage.