What is the greatest health care challenge facing Maryland today, and how do you plan to address it?
I believe, the most significant health issue in Maryland is obesity. Obesity leads to other health issues both mental and physical. Personally, I am adjusting my diet and increasing my exercise to reduce my weight and improve my health. I would support a proactive approach to health. I will encourage the Maryland Department of Health to promote a healthier way to eat. We need to flip the food pyramid upside down and reducing the amount of processed sugars and grains we eat daily and encourage eating more non-processed foods.
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?
After reviewing the website, I have more questions about the Maryland Model than I do answers. However, there are some immediate points that come to mind. First, everyone paying the same cost for the service provided is equality, not equity. We should pay the same regardless of payment method. Second, it is good to see hospitals care for and are active in their community, but I’m not convinced they should be held accountable for the health of the community. Third, the Value Pillar is concerning. I need to do more research on this issue. I’m open to discussions and education by your organization.
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?
The immediate shortage was exacerbated by the requirement to have a COVID “vaccine”. The hospital systems can drop the requirement and call back employees let go over the requirement. Second, the Nursing Board needs to streamline their approval process. A friend explained how it took the board 6 months to approve her to work in Maryland and all they had to do was review her paperwork from another state. As for long term, we need to look at the institutions (both 2 year and 4 year) educating our health care professionals and determine if they can expand capacity. Provide them with the resources to do so.
How would you increase availability of and access to health care for Marylanders?
I am unfamiliar with this issue. As I meet with potential constituents of all income levels, no one complains about lack of access or availability of health care. I have been advocating to bring dialysis capability to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.
I am open to discussions with your organization to understand your position and solutions.
What policies will you pursue to improve health for all Marylanders? Please also consider the social determinants of health?
I will encourage and support the Maryland Department of Health in promoting a healthier way to eat. We need to promote flipping the food pyramid upside down and reducing the amount of processed sugars and grains we eat daily and encourage eating more non-processed foods.
I will also encourage the Department of Education to teach and encourage good nutrition. And work with our local school board to improve the food choices in the lunchroom.
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?
There are many ways consumers can lower their health care costs including changing their diet to include more non-processed food and increasing their exercise. Programs such as GoodRx and Medishare offer options to the consumers to lower their costs as well. As a legislator, I will work to repeal the law passed to put funds aside to teach non-physicians personnel how to perform abortions.
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?
Before I make a decision about attorney fees, I would have to hear the arguments both for and against this proposal.
It comes down to what are the actual medical malpractices happening in a community. Is it individual driven, hospital policy/practice driven, or something else? At minimum after a case is settled (or even during the lawsuit) a review of policy, practices, and other factors should be investigated and addressed to ensure the incident can try to be avoided in the future. It is unclear if legislation is necessary to make this happen. If it is, I’m open to working with a group to promote safer practices.
What are your priorities should you be elected, not confined to health care?
I’m running to return a focus on Constitutional rights, fiscal responsibility, reducing crime and returning parental control and choices in education. I will continue to fight against mandates, lockdowns, CRT, ESL the ESG scores in financial systems, and the increasing tax burden of an out-of-control government. In addition, I’m Pro-Life and will fight to stop funding the murder of unborn children.
I'm fighting for...
St Mary's Families - Lower taxes to spare economic growth, fiscal responsibility in State government, and excellence in education and protection of parental rights.
A Safer St Mary's - advocate for law enforcement and first responders, individual freedoms and property rights and to protect the lives of the unborn and elderly.
A Better St Mary's - protection of our waterways, preserving Southern Maryland Heritage and free market policies for community prosperity.