Maryland Poison Center More Important Than Ever Amid Cuts to Federal Health Program Funding

A new national report highlights the role Poison Centers play in reducing emergency room use, shortening hospital stays, decreasing mortality risk, enhancing public health surveillance, and improving patient outcomes.

By Emily Bleiweis
January 23, 2026

At a time where health programs have been hit with funding cuts and we see an increase in health care costs, free-of-charge services offered through U.S. Poison Centers are saving lives and reducing strain on the country’s medical system.

According to a new independent study released by America’s Poison Centers®, the 53 U.S. Poison Centers collectively save $3.1 billion every year in medical costs and lost productivity. Conducted by RAND Corporation, a nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization, the report confirms that Poison Centers provide substantial economic and societal benefits for communities across the country.

Maryland and Washington D.C. are no exception.

“The Maryland Poison Center (MPC) saves lives not only when the public calls, but also through our expertise and partnerships with hospitals and other health care facilities,” said Joshua King, MD, FACMT, FAACT, medical director of the MPC, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and an affiliate associate professor of practice, sciences, and health outcomes research at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP). “The work our toxicologists and poison specialists do prevents unnecessary emergency room visits and helps community members who may otherwise go untreated due to concerns over costs receive care.”

In 2025, the MPC, which is part of UMSOP, managed more than 56,000 cases, up from 37,000 the previous year. That increase coincides with the expansion of the center’s coverage area — in April 2025 the MPC began providing critical poison prevention services and 24/7 expert support to families and individuals not only in Maryland, but also in Washington, DC. The RAND report, Poison Prevention, Treatment, and Detection as Public Health Investments, found that for every $1 invested in poison center services, communities receive $16.77 in benefits. Nationally, according to the report, the savings that result from poison center services include:

• $1.52 billion per year due to avoided health care utilization
• $725 million per year due to reduced length of hospital stay
• $574 million per year in reduced mortality risk
• $150 million per year due to productivity loss associated with health care utilization
• $89 million per year in productivity and labor hours

“Behind every number in this report is a real person who got immediate, expert help when they felt most vulnerable,” said Richard Fogelson, CEO of America’s Poison Centers. “It was inspiring for us to see RAND measure the widespread impact of our network and how it dramatically reduces health care costs for the nation. The report also reinforces the crucial role poison centers have in detecting and responding to the growing number of public health threats and disasters, enabling rapid and often life-saving coordination with federal, state, and local agencies and first responders.”

The Maryland Poison Center is certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) as a regional poison center. It has provided poisoning treatment advice, education, and prevention services since 1972. The Poison Help line at the MPC – 1-800-222-1222 -is staffed by pharmacists and nurses who are certified as specialists in poison information by the AAPCC. These specialists have more than 250 combined years of experience managing poisoning and overdose cases. Over the past 50 years, they have helped more than 2.5 million callers. Learn more about MPC in Poison Center Facts.

About America’s Poison Centers

America’s Poison Centers® represents the 53 accredited poison centers across the country. We are united in our cause to prevent poison-related health emergencies in America. Through the national Poison Help line (1-800-222- 1222) and PoisonHelp.org our member centers provide all Americans expert advice. We also maintain the National Poison Data System® (NPDS), our nation’s only near real-time poisoning data surveillance system, integrating the latest information from across poison centers.

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