What is the greatest health care challenge facing Maryland today, and how do you plan to address it?
Workforce shortages. I'm working on it both through legislation and the state budget. Budget language on healthcare apprenticeship study: the Healthcare Apprenticeship Workgroup should include MDL; representatives from State public health, local health departments, State facilities, and other Maryland Department of Health staff as relevant; representatives of the associations of health care providers; and representatives of the labor unions representing health care workers. I'm deeply involved in making sure that health occupations are a major focus of the Blueprint plan for CTE and high school level of Registered Apprenticeships and of the Apprenticeship 2030 Commission set up under SB 926.
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 haven't thought about it much but holding down hospital costs by expanding the services provided by EMS and expanding urgent care centers on-site with emergency rooms are two initiatives that I've pushed.
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?
See answer to question 1.
How would you increase availability of and access to health care for Marylanders?
Continue to expand insurance coverage to the health care exchange. I sponsored the legislation to integrate the UI system with the exchange. Also, see answer to question 2
What policies will you pursue to improve health for all Marylanders? Please also consider the social determinants of health?
Continue to expand insurance coverage to the health care exchange. I sponsored the legislation to integrate the UI system with the exchange. Also, see answer to question 2
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 supported Senator Feldman and Delegate Peña-Melnyk's legislation on tax on health insurance plans.
Secondly, I supported the Prescription Drug Affordability Board Act when we passed it in 2019.
I'd like to learn more about the impact of high deductibles and consider ways to change them.
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?
This is an issue on which I am not up to date on the facts but would be happy to discuss it.
What are your priorities should you be elected, not confined to health care?
Workforce across occupations and industries.