What is the greatest health care challenge facing Maryland today, and how do you plan to address it?
The greatest health care challenge facing Maryland today is health professional shortage. I plan to address the healthcare workforce shortage by increasing the inclusion of those from underserved and at risk populations in the healthcare workforce through proactive training/ education, recruitment, and job development initiatives. Improving understanding and competencies of the entire workforce to address disparate needs and improve equity.
Maryland’s hospitals operate under a unique contract with the federal government that promotes community, equity, and value. It also contributes significantly to Maryland's economy. How do you plan to support the continued success of the Maryland Model?
continue to collaborate with our federal government elected officials to support the mission.
Maryland is experiencing a shortage of health care practitioners, especially nurses, that we project will worsen in the years ahead. How do you plan to address the immediate crisis and what will you do to make sure we have a robust and sustainable health care workforce pipeline?
same response as number 1
How would you increase availability of and access to health care for Marylanders?
-make it easier to enroll n healthcare
-make health insurance more affordable
-promote equitable access to healthcare
What policies will you pursue to improve health for all Marylanders? Please also consider the social determinants of health?
achieve health equity
coordinated continuum of care
address social needs
How do you plan to address consumers' growing exposure to health care costs, such as high deductible health plans and rising prescription drug prices in Maryland?
-reduce the burden of preventable disease
-make health care delivery more efficient
-reduce non clinical healthcare costs that do not contribute to patient care
-promote value based decision making at all levels
These strategies should be implemented to bring immediate improvement to the health care system and to strengthen the impact of the comprehensive reform- that is financial assistance for those who must need help buying health insurance, personal choice of coverage and fair health insurance market rules.
Maryland’s worsening medical liability climate, as noted in a recent independent report, threatens access to, and affordability of, health care services in Maryland. Plaintiffs’ attorneys typically take 40% of a medical malpractice judgment. Do you support limiting attorneys’ fees so that the affected individuals can receive more of their settlement or judgment? What additional reforms would you support that balance supporting individuals and families harmed by medical malpractice with ensuring continued access to services in a community?
Improve the healthcare quality associated with healthcare reform will substantially reduce the number of adverse events.
What are your priorities should you be elected, not confined to health care?
As a mental health advocate one of my main priorities is the mental health of the state of Maryland. In addition to the growth of small business, education, criminal justice reform, affordable housing, and equitable resources for healthcare.