Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced Monday that a Baltimore City Circuit Court ruling will prevent major tobacco companies from reducing the annual settlement payments they owe Maryland to cover potential damages in a separate lawsuit filed by Baltimore City.
The decision protects millions of dollars Maryland receives each year under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement, which provides funding for healthcare related to smoking-related illnesses and other public health programs.
The agreement, reached between major tobacco companies and 52 states and territories, resolved claims involving Medicaid costs associated with smoking-related diseases and requires tobacco companies to make annual payments indefinitely…