What is the greatest health care challenge facing Maryland today, and how do you plan to address it?
Covid 19 has devastated millions of people around the world and does not appear to be going away anytime soon. It is imperative that elected leaders do everything they can to ensure the safety of their citizens. I would push to have more at home Covid tests dispersed to help identify those diagnosed with the disease to get them the
immediate assistance they need.
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?
The Maryland Model has proven to be very successful. I would support any current and new legislation.
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?
I would work to strengthen the pipeline of incoming healthcare workers. To do this, I would work with individual organizations to take more of a proactive role in educating clinical and non-clinical workers. I would also support the opening of more healthcare and clinical sites.
How would you increase availability of and access to health care for Marylanders?
Healthcare insurances need to provide more accessible low-cost plans to residents in low-income communities. Promoting equitable access to healthcare is also necessary. Eliminating requirements like immigration status would allow more people to be eligible for enrollment in several healthcare plans.
What policies will you pursue to improve health for all Marylanders? Please also consider the social determinants of health?
Providing free or low-cost healthcare coverage so every family in Maryland has the ability to afford it. I would also push to have a wider range of prescription drugs covered under healthcare insurance.
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?
Health care costs and prescription drug costs are negotiated by State, City and local jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction should negotiate better pricing for their employees.
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, however, they should not take a large hit when they have provided a service. I would support government funding programs that assist in paying a portion of legal fees when a patient must seek council for medical malpractice.
What are your priorities should you be elected, not confined to health care?
I would be lasered focused on policies that fully support wraparound services year long for our vulnerable young people.