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Government
Published
01/30/10
ANNAPOLIS- Walk into Hagerstown's Community Free Clinic and you can see exactly whom health care reform, state or federal, is meant to help. Find Us On Facebook
The waiters and bartenders who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford insurance, those who have been responsible with finances but were let go due to the recession, and others whose stories can't be generalized come here for free treatment.
"It's especially hard for those people who have always been responsible, who have always been insured. They are humiliated to have to come here," said Executive Director Robin Roberson. "They feel like...
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Health Care Reform - 2010-02-01 13:22:59
The statistics for the uninsured in Maryland are even worse than reported in "If health care bill tanks." Families USA in March 2009 reported that more than one in four Marylanders under the age of 65 went without health insurance for all or part of 2007 and 2008. That is 29.1% of the state and 76.7% of these are members of working families. And, consider that some 450 people died due to lack of health insurance in 2006 that is more than one person a day and that number is rising.
Many members of Marylands Congressional Delegation have taken leadership roles on gaining comprehensive federal health care reform. They cant stop now and Marylands residents should send them that message today and every day until legislation is passed.
Meanwhile, the Maryland Womens Coalition for Health Care Reform recognizes as do others that our state cannot wait for federal reform. The Maryland Legislature, even in the face of our budget deficit, must take action on health care reform. A first step would be to support a raise in the alcohol tax to fund the expansion of Medicaid to childless adults up to 116% of the federal poverty level, which they passed in the 2007 Special Session. And, there must be no more cuts to the budgets of our local health departments. These are a lifeline for many of our states most endangered population. More advancements will be proposed going forward and the Legislature must act on these before more people lose their lives, their livelihoods, or their homes.
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Leni Preston - Bethesda, MD - Karma: Neutral
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