Charles County Backs Plan For Employee Health Center, No County Funds Required

LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County employees could soon have access to a dedicated primary care center, giving employees another option for routine health care needs outside of urgent care, after commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to support two state grant applications to help fund startup and infrastructure costs, with no county matching funds required.

“Instead of an employee having to go to urgent care, they would have access to their own health care center for convenience,” said Deborah E. Hall, acting county administrator, who introduced the item to commissioners.

The applications target Maryland’s Rural Health Transformation Program, a federally funded initiative designed to expand health care access in rural communities, a designation that includes Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.

“Like many public sector employers, Charles County Government continues to face rising healthcare costs, limited access to primary care providers, growing behavioral health needs, and workforce recruitment and retention challenges,” the letters of support state.

The proposal came out of a collaborative effort across the county administrator’s office, finance and human resources, with Human Resources Director Alexis Blackwell and Deputy Director Megan Donnick presenting the details to commissioners Tuesday.

The two letters of support back separate grant applications — one through Marathon Health and another through a collaborative application involving MABE, MACo and MedChi through the Maryland Department of Health’s State Office of Rural Health — both seeking state funding to cover startup and infrastructure costs for an Advanced Primary Care center serving county employees and their families.

“Numerous counties, municipalities and school districts throughout the region already have access to this model,” the letters of support state. “Based on the experience of these peer organizations, we believe the opportunity for meaningful health care savings and improved employee engagement is real and achievable.”

Charles County has been working with Marathon Health, which operates similar centers for counties, municipalities and school systems across the region, and has also been in discussions with Charles County Public Schools about a potential partnership.

With confirmation that no county matching funds would be required, commissioners raised no objections and voted unanimously to approve both letters of support.

Watch the full May 19, 2026, meeting on CCGTV.

---