Legislative Priorities for Health Care

Yesterday was a day well spent in Hagerstown.  Joe Ross, my counterpart at Meritus, hosted a forum for elected officials from across western Maryland, from Garrett County to Carroll County.  There was great attendance from delegates, senators, county commissioners and the aides to Senators Cardin and Mikulski as well as Congressman Delaney.  

The CEOs from the five counties presented on a variety of related topics and Carmela Coyle, President of the Maryland Hospital Association, gave the keynote presentation.  The four CEOs from Allegany, Washington, Frederick and Carroll Counties presented on today's successes and challenges related to health care reform, transitioning to value-based care delivery in our hospitals, and newly formed partnerships for healthier communities.  We also heard from the Garrett CEO, who gave a presentation on his many successes since arriving in January 2014 at Garrett Memorial, one of the state's smallest and most isolated hospitals.  Lynn Rushing, the CEO at Brook Lane, gave a wonderful presentation on behavioral health issues and challenges and Dr. Ted Howe, the Medical Director for the Williamsport Retirement Village, gave an enlightening presentation on new partnerships for improved resident outcomes.  

It was a great opportunity to provide our elected officials with information about how health care is changing and remind them that we need their support as we continue to evolve under the new Medicare Waiver for Maryland.  Again, time well spent.