It’s some relief to see the drop in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Maryland in recent weeks. Yet, we aren’t out of the woods.

Maryland’s 444th legislative session of the General Assembly has just begun, and already we can see that our top priorities are on the minds of legislators. As you know, each year we come together at the start of session to review the hospital and health system fieldwide priorities.

As Maryland’s 2022 legislative session gets underway, MHA is shining the spotlight on your achievements and the severe challenges you face in the seemingly never-ending pandemic. You’re treating more COVID-19 patients than ever before. You’re imploring the public to vaccinate, boost, mask, and more.

Last Wednesday, 30 MHA members and staff came together for an event with Senate President Bill Ferguson. We shared a clear message: Hospitals need unprecedented levels of support to meet this moment. Operations have shifted drastically over the course of the pandemic due to meteoric staffing costs, volatile vacancy rates, and ever-fluctuating community needs.