What is the greatest health care challenge facing Maryland today, and how do you plan to address it?
Lack of coverage and lack of preventive care.
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 would stand behind our successful all-payer system.
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 have been working on loan forgiveness, increased scholarships and other incentives.
How would you increase availability of and access to health care for Marylanders?
I believe we should explore how a Medicare-for-all system could work in Maryland.
What policies will you pursue to improve health for all Marylanders? Please also consider the social determinants of health?
Any -- and all -- reforms must take those social determinants into account. Health care should be a right and not a privilidge.
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?
We need to have legislation that capped the profit margin for insurance companies doing business in Maryland.
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?
It is a delicate balance but action must be allowed to address the outliers who do harm to patients.
What are your priorities should you be elected, not confined to health care?
Addressing the effects of climate change and environmental degradation on health.
Improving our schools and the wrap-around services provided there, including physical and mental health.