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 is to ensure that the remaining 6% of Marylanders who are uninsured are able to gain access to health care. I see access to high quality, affordable health care as a basic human right, and am proud that Maryland has done better than the rest of the country in ensuring access to insurance. But we should not rest until everyone has access.
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?
As a member of House leadership, I will continue to advocate for the Maryland Model to have the full support of state government, and will apply whatever pressure is necessary to the federal government to ensure that we can continue to operate it, and to convince the federal government and other states that this model should be adopted elsewhere.
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?
We need to invest in every link of the health care workforce pipeline. I support full funding of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, including robust funding for career and technical education programs in the health care field. We need to expand funding for our community colleges and their training programs, including in particular significant investment in workforce development sequence grants. Maryland should also continue to expand loan assistance repayment programs and other opportunities to offset the costs of education in health care fields, and expand state incentives for preceptorships.
How would you increase availability of and access to health care for Marylanders?
In addition to ensuring that all Marylanders have access to health insurance, the shortage of qualified providers is the single biggest barrier to health care access. In addition to the workforce investments described above, it should be easier for providers to start and maintain their practices.
What policies will you pursue to improve health for all Marylanders? Please also consider the social determinants of health?
I've been a strong advocate for policies to address the social ills that contribute to negative health outcomes for so many Marylanders. I've long supported common sense gun laws to help address gun violence, trauma informed schools and restorative practices that will help end the school to prison pipeline, and economic policies that give families the ability to afford the housing and nutrition they need. I plan to continue advocating for these policies should I be re-elected.
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 think Maryland has been extremely proactive in seeking innovative policies to try to reduce costs for health care consumers. On the prescription drug front, for example, the establishment of the prescription drug affordability board and its work to identify pressure points on drug prices is being watched across the country. I look forward to reading their report once it's issued at the end of June and considering their proposals. In particular, I think we need to find ways to limit unreasonable increases in prices of life saving medicines like insulin.
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 not support limiting attorney's fees through legislative action. I believe the judiciary should have primary responsibility for addressing the issue.
What are your priorities should you be elected, not confined to health care?
Fully funding the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, building economic opportunity for Maryland workers and small businesses, putting Maryland on a path to a zero carbon future, continuing our work to expand voting rights