What is the greatest health care challenge facing Maryland today, and how do you plan to address it?
One of the biggest healthcare issues facing Maryland today is the staffing crisis facing hospitals and other healthcare providers, a situation that has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a member of the Maryland General Assembly, I will make it a priority to grow and sustain a healthcare workforce that can deliver the high-quality care that Marylanders deserve and make sure that investments are made in programs and policies that ensure hospitals can recruit and retain frontline workers both now and well into the future. Additionally, reforms must be made to improve Maryland’s healthcare liability climate and create more transparency for both hospitals and patients. Finally, the continued success of the Maryland cost of care model is paramount to making sure that Marylanders, especially those who rely on Medicare and Medicaid will be able to continue to have affordable access to healthcare. If elected, I look forward to working with the other members of the General Assembly towards these goals.
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?
If elected, I am committed to making sure that the Maryland Model is able to sustain itself not just in the short-term, but long into the future as well. I would ensure that the program has the funding that it needs, and that any upcoming contracts or adjustments to the model will contribute toward the goals of keeping healthcare costs manageable while still producing quality healthcare outcomes for Maryland residents.
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?
In the short-term, steps must be taken to ensure that Maryland can both attract and retain talented healthcare professionals, including licensing reforms to make sure that practitioners from other states can work or easily be certified in Maryland, and exploring options to bring down the costs of medical training for future nurses and doctors while also helping to relieve current practitioners of the burden of student loans and other costs of their medical education. The General Assembly took some steps toward this goal in 2022 by providing $50 million to hospitals and $3 million to expand loan repayment assistance programs, and I would support further expansion of these programs to address this problem.
How would you increase availability of and access to health care for Marylanders?
I support the measures that the General Assembly took to expand access to health care in 2022 by increasing the amount of funds available for hospital workforce support. Furthermore, the General Assembly ensured that funds were included in the budget ($35 million) to expand resources for individuals experiencing mental health crises. Along with committing funds to ensure the continued success of the Maryland Cost-of-Care Model of healthcare payments, I would also support further investment in those two programs. Finally, I think we need to fix disparities in health care access to ensure that all Marylanders get the medical care they need. I support measures that would improve access to healthcare in underserved communities.
What policies will you pursue to improve health for all Marylanders? Please also consider the social determinants of health?
First, as noted above, I firmly believe we need to fix disparities in access to healthcare. In addition, I look forward to working with the General Assembly as a whole to address pollution and other environmental factors that lead to poor health outcomes such as asthma, cancer, and respiratory or heart disease, particularly in poor and marginalized communities. Further, I support legislation that would help provide affordable housing and access to healthy food (i.e., address food deserts), particularly for vulnerable Marylanders and underserved communities of color.
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?
The General Assembly has already taken steps to address growing healthcare costs, including the Prescription Drug Affordability Board and expanding funding for mental healthcare access, but there is much more work to be done to bring down healthcare costs for Maryland residents. I would work with healthcare stakeholders to address the growing cost of high-deductible plans and consider the recommendations of the Board when it comes to reducing prescription drug costs.
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?
Yes, I would support limiting attorneys’ fees so that plaintiffs can receive more of their settlement. The bulk of these payouts should be going to victims to redress grievances. If elected, I would also work closely with health care stakeholders to discuss and design further reforms that may be needed to our medical liability system to ensure that costs remain affordable and sustainable for all Marylanders.
Maryland’s worsening medical liability climate, as noted in a recent independent report, threatens access to, and affordability of, health care services in Maryland. I am interested in working with health care stakeholders to learn what solutions they suggest and receive feedback from their community on this issue to evaluate additional reforms.
What are your priorities should you be elected, not confined to health care?
I decided to run for office after seeing a need for more effective representation on four key priorities: providing greater support for working families, strengthening environmental protections, helping local businesses thrive, and investing in our public schools. In particular, I am a strong supporter of paid family and medical leave as well as expanded access to affordable, quality childcare. Additionally, as a mother of three, I care deeply about ensuring that every child has the chance to learn and thrive in a safe environment, and I will work to provide the resources that our schools and communities need. Most importantly, I am committed to serving with integrity and responsiveness to constituent needs.