What is the greatest health care challenge facing Maryland today, and how do you plan to address it?
Primary Care Provider shortage, including nursing shortage.
Recruit and retention efforts must start with the stakeholders. What will it take to bring high quality primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurse to Maryland? What will it take to retain them?
Hospitals and large employers of health care professionals must be more transparent about hiring, and retention policies.
We are in the health care business, we must return the CARE to that business - not just lip service in ads, but do it. That's why primary care providers go into the field.
Can we ""grow our own""? Can we invest in more minorities so that our patients have more providers that look like them? Yes, we can.
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 question whether all Marylanders are being equitably treated in the Maryland Model. That needs to be addressed if the Model is to continue.
Also, Community Service is the responsibility of the Hospitals? Really? When is the last time you worked in an ER or listened to a patient who went to the hospital?
The concept of the Maryland Model is sound, the execution really needs to be addressed - start from the bottom and work up. Nurses, Primary care providers are the key - simplify the paperwork,. Primary care is bogged down with unnecessary appeals, prior authorizations and/or arguing with insurance companies about billing for treatment.
I do support success, but also see the need to examine that ""success"" and find who has dropped through the cracks, and then work to fix the cracks and improve the 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?
See #1
This is my life. I work 60 hour weeks, and have two fabulous NPs working with me. Our patients love us. We have a 200 person waiting list. The hospitals need to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. I am going into this political adventure to point out problems, create solutions, and support successes. After the frustration of the pandemic, PCPs are bolting from the field. I am marching onto the field to help find and implement solutions.
Nurses - you could start by treating them like professionals. The whole traveler nurse situation has created tremendous animosity among nurses. Stop it. Nursing assignment needs to be revamped. Happy nurses equals happy patients equals better outcomes for the patient, and the hospital. Have the nurses give their input on what the problems are, and suggestions on how to resolve them. Nurses are excellent problem solvers. They also can provide the best cost effective care - through prevention and health maintenance
How would you increase availability of and access to health care for Marylanders?
You have to start with communication changes - all providers/hospitals/clinics/pharmacies should have the same EMR.
Support education programs for primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurses. There is no reason any one of these groups should not have education support, loan support, etc. If higher education was affordable, there would be more candidates in the state to work in the State.
The most important health care is front line PCP care for prevention, treatment of common problems and stabilization of chronic conditions.
ETC.....Health Insurance must be broad, affordable easily understandable for public.
What policies will you pursue to improve health for all Marylanders? Please also consider the social determinants of health?
All Marylanders should make better health decisions. I can and do tell my affluent patients not to smoke and drink, to exercise daily, and stay hydrated, get enough sleep. Then it is their choice. And it would help if more public figures who set trends would make the message stronger on their public media. You can't legislate that.
But for my patients who work three jobs, are raising their grandkids, have continual subtle and not so subtle racial and ethnic challenges, and don't have the time or money for the gym, the fresh veggies, there must be a different approach. We could start by ensuring that all the various and sundry insurance plans in the state cover the people that make just above whatever the latest cut off is. Make sure that the insurance is affordable - and this has to be a realistic figure for them, and must cover generic medications. The best solution is health care coverage for all - all basic services, immunizations are covered.
There is room for enterprise zones for business and health. Incorporate the schools, they have a vested interest in healthy children and parents as partners.
Utilize the media and celebrities to teach healthy lifestyles and concepts on a budget, for special conditions,. Mental health could be incorporated at schools in the evening - support groups, parenting classes, conflict resolution classes. Provide a meal - we are already feeding our children breakfast and lunch.
Ask the people what they need to improve their health in their community. Ask how they see this happening. Ask what commitment they can make, what commitment they need from community partners and the government, and local health entities. Assure that there are appropriate linguists availabe.
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?
Why is health insurance so expensive? Is it that the actual cost of health care is so high? I have to wonder as I look at the bottom line of my primary care practice. We haven't gotten any big raises, but my patients insurance costs have skyrocketed.
Is it something within the medical industry? Are hospital costs really capped and controlled? Is their something the medical industry could do to control costs?
What additional efficiencies could be implemented?
Or is it that the insurance companies are making huge profits?
Marylanders cannot sustain these huge deductibles. There is concern about the Medicare advantage plans that promise a lot and pay a little, surprise the insuree.
The Affordable Care system with navigators should be expanded. There is satisfaction among patients with the approach and the system/service.
There should be universal coverage.
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 strongly advocate for limiting attorney's fees in medical malpractice settlements. That in and of itself could reduce frivolous suits.
I think there should be a mediation board that patients and their family can petition, present their case, and receive a fair compensation for their harm. It would also be beneficial to have a fund - and it should not be called malpractice fund - which is supported by all medical entities to pay the generally determined amount.
What are your priorities should you be elected, not confined to health care?
Education - as the president of our Talbot County Board of Education, I am heavily involved in improving our education system; creating systems that are equitable, and moving our students to achieve their potential. Creating a level playing field for all children. Eliminating unfunded mandates of the State onto counties
Public Safety - improving education, equipment, support for our police and other first responders - if we have better educated and trained officers, we have fewer ""incidents"" that get out of control. Education through role playing, and guided exercises to minimize ethnic and racial biases at all levels of public safety.
Broadband is critical to public safety - in the rural area where I live the functioning of the cell phones can be a life or death matter.
Climate issues - The water is high and rising! In my district of the Eastern Shore, we are losing shore line monthly. There are more problems with our crops due to climate variability, and our water related industries and farms are at risk due to rising water temperatures. Water quality issues become dire as the temperatures rise, We must see that laws passed are enacted, that includes older regulation and law pertaining to sewage and waste water. These impact public health