What is the greatest health care challenge facing Maryland today, and how do you plan to address it?
Education. We have a large gap in the education of what is needed for proper health care in our state and our country. We need to make sure we not only teach our great citizens not only what they need to do for their health, but where they can actually GET healthcare.
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?
I believe we need to continue this program, equity is a big belief I have in my life. Having my own personal life saved by military healthcare when I was born, I believe that healthcare needs to be accessible to everyone. As someone who couldn't GET healthcare when he was younger, I do not wish anyone to be in that situation if we can prevent it.
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?
First thing, we need to make sure that nurses are paid well for their incredible work they put on the ground. Next we need to make sure they are protected, keep up their PPE, we also need to make sure they have access to sick time if needed, that means we need more and more workers.
How would you increase availability of and access to health care for Marylanders?
I would like to expand Hospitals and spread awareness of the services that they can. I also like to expand Urgent Care so that people know that they are available and what services they can provide.
The vaccine rollout shows how we can actually get access to people when we need to.
What policies will you pursue to improve health for all Marylanders? Please also consider the social determinants of health?
I want to partner with local farmers to get food into our food deserts around in our areas. I want to make sure that the state is expanding good food to those who need it.
I also want to expand mental health resources to as many as possible. Making more phone/chat options that will help those who have been affected by the isolation of COVID and more.
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?
I support Medicare for All. With the government who can argue for lower prices, and can fund more and more research, it will give everyone the best foot up that they can.
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?
I do support limiting attorneys fees, as well as potentially even supply lawyers for people when they have medical legal issues. We also need to make sure that all the hospitals and doctors are funded to make sure they have the best workers that they can have.
What are your priorities should you be elected, not confined to health care?
My main goal would be helping pass Medicare 4 All. Making health care affordable should be our main priority, because being sick should not break a family financially.