The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission has passed a plan that freezes the rates hospitals can charge patients, which could cause some hospitals to lay off workers and slow hiring.

Nursing major Casey Clemo said that as a person going into the medical field, the new plan does not affect her decision to pursue her career.

“The high pay is something that is beneficial but I’m becoming a nurse because I care about the patients and want to use my skills to help others,” Clemo said.

The plan will make job searches different, she said.

“Most people find jobs depending on their position and what area of the hospital it is and if this plan would affect their pay, more nurses might have the incentive to look for higher-paying positions, such as administration or in areas that pay more,” she said.

For the past two years, the commission has increased hospital rates by less than the inflation rate hospitals faced to make a profit, president of the Maryland Hospital Association Carmela Coyle said in a Washington Post article.

“We are very concerned that this will really jeopardize hospitals’ financial condition at a time when we need to strengthen it,” Coyle said. “This will have serious consequences.”

If the plan were to negatively affect her eventual income as a nurse, Clemo said she would be motivated to work overtime and do more job searches to compare pay rates.

She said she would consider looking at hospitals in Virginia, Pennsylvania or Washington D.C. because the commute wouldn’t be far.

No matter what happens, she’s sticking with her goal, she said.

“I want to go into pediatrics, and no amount of pay could change my mind on that,” she said. “I’m not saying I’m happy about it, but I know teachers aren’t happy with their salary either, but the passionate teachers that want to make a difference stick to their profession.”