WASHINGTON –  Today, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) welcomed the contract agreement between Johns Hopkins Medicine and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. The deal comes after the lawmakers sent a letter to the two parties last week calling on them to come to an agreement before the upcoming health insurance enrollment deadline, and it ensures Johns Hopkins patients with CareFirst insurance plans will not have their health care access disrupted during this year’s open enrollment period, which begins in one week on November 1.

“Marylanders can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they won’t experience disruptions to their health care coverage during this year’s open enrollment period. We’re glad to see Hopkins and CareFirst heed our calls to reach an agreement and urge the strengthening of their partnership to promote access to high-quality, affordable health care to Marylanders,” said the lawmakers.

During the health insurance open enrollment period, which begins on November 1, Marylanders can purchase new health insurance plans or modify their existing coverage at MarylandHealthConnection.gov.