Federal legislators are expected to finish their work on health care legislation this week, but for Maryland officials, the work is just beginning.

Advocates of a bill that would guarantee continuous medical assistance for recently incarcerated youth reentering their communities say their legislation would help minors and save the state money.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has awarded a contract with a New York company to provide third-party liability and cost containment services.

The charitable arm of dental benefits provider DentaQuest has awarded more than $534,000 in grant funding for an oral health literacy and awareness campaign in Maryland.

The Maryland Board of Public Works cut an additional $364 million from the fiscal 2010 operating budget Wednesday, pushing the total reductions to $1.1 billion since the fiscal year began in July.

While health insurers plan to cover administration of the H1N1 virus for the majority of their Maryland customers, insurance and health department officials would like to see them cover everyone.