Healthcare
We can be proud that 85.8% of Marylanders are covered under some sort of health-care plan, according to the US Census Bureau in 2004. But we can do better: I pledge to find ways to ensure the other 14.2% have coverage, as well. And I’ve built a reputation for delivering on my promises.
When a for-profit California firm first considered buying Care First, Maryland’s non-profit Blue Cross / Blue Shield provider, I voted for strict conditions on the sale to ensure that those who most needed Blue Cross / Blue Shield would not be abandoned.
I co-sponsored laws that improved healthcare for 60,000 children and pregnant women in working families who were without health insurance.
What’s more, I co-sponsored laws that strengthened the HMO appeal process for all Marylanders.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey Office , nearly one in six Maryland residents is over the age of 60. This figure will grow dramatically as baby boomers continue to age. I believe it is our responsibility to make sure our seniors live out their lives with the dignity and respect they have earned after a lifetime of hard work.
To protect nursing home residents, I introduced “Vera’s Law”, designed to help nursing home residents and their families who want to monitor care of loved ones in long-term care facilities. My legislation is a national model that was highlighted on ABC Television’s Good Morning America and National Public Radio.
I led the successful fight to increase funds for nursing home caregivers, to expand respite care, and in-home care opportunities.
My efforts on the Appropriations Committee resulted in more funding for nursing homes to recruit and retain staff and to establish minimum staffing levels.
One of my proudest accomplishments in Annapolis was leadership of the Women Legislators of Maryland, where I served as President from 2000 to 2001.
Under my tenure, this caucus introduced legislation for the first time.
As a result of my work, a state-level Women’s Health Office was created under the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Had it not been left unfunded by the Administration, this would have enabled the state to incorporate all existing women’s health initiatives under one roof and allow the state to obtain federal and private grant monies not otherwise available. When elected I will fight to have the Women’s Health Office reinstated and fully funded.
I remain steadfast in defense of a women’s right to choose. I support Maryland’s current laws on reproductive rights and support initiatives to enable women of all socio-economic levels to have equal access to reproductive health care.
In 2002, I was given a Legislative Appreciation Award by the Maryland Association of Community Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Inc. for my “courage to support the increased wages for direct support staff in the Developmental Disabilities Administration funded programs.” My efforts improved the capacity of community programs to support people with developmental disabilities and their families.
What lies before us are even greater challenges, which require the vision and the determination to bring together the people who can forge the right solutions.
