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Published by the Office of Communications |  On November 5, Maryland voters will head to the polls to elect a new governor. Many political experts are predicting a close race between the leading candidates, Congressman Robert Ehrlich, the Republican nominee, and Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the Democratic nominee.
Both pledged to make health care a priority of their administrations when they visited the School to outline their plans for improving health in the state. Congressman Ehrlich spoke on September 20 while Lt. Governor Townsend spoke on October 3. Their presentations were part of the Department of Health Policy and Management's Fall Policy Seminar Series, which was organized by Daniel Morhaim, MD, an associate in health policy and management and state delegate from Baltimore County.  The candidate forums were well attended. Students, faculty, staff, and other invited guests filled the East Wing auditorium to capacity on both occasions. Others who could not get in viewed the speeches on television monitors set up in the Anna Baetjer room.
Each candidate spoke for about 45 minutes. Audience members were invited to ask questions at the conclusion of the speeches. For those who could not attend the forums, Homepage has provided a breakdown of the major health questions raised by both candidates.
EHRLICH | TOWNSEND |
HEALTH CARE FOR THE UNINSURED
| | - Proposes “mandate-light” private insurance as low-cost alternative for uninsured.
- Proposed a refundable tax credit allowing individuals to negotiate directly with insurance providers for the best health care coverage.
| - Proposes expanding MCHP (Maryland Children’s Health Program) to cover parents of enrolled children.
- Wants federal waiver to allow disabled people to work on a limited basis and maintain coverage.
| | PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS | | - Voted in Congress to provide $320 billion for drug coverage through private insurers. Seniors would pay $33 per month. Bill also gives $30 billion to health care providers.
- Pledges to subsidize a prescription benefit for seniors on the state level, if federal action fails.
| - Believes prescription drug coverage prescription should be part of Medicare.
- Proposes to fund 28-35% drug discount for seniors and other eligible groups at a cost of $3 million per year.
| | MENTAL HEALTH AND DRUG TREATMENT | | - Co-sponsored mental health parity bill in Congress to require insurers to provide mental health benefits comparable to medical and surgical benefits.
- Calls for more mental health clinics in state and more mental health and drug treatment in the juvenile justice system.
| - Doubled the number of people receiving mental health services. Increased funding 50%.
- Committed $2 million for mental health in schools.
- Increased funding for drug treatment by $53 million. Pledged additional $30 million to Baltimore City for drug treatment.
| | CIGARETTE TAX | | - Opposes additional taxes on cigarettes as a way to fund important initiatives. Believes cigarette revenue is unreliable, because it is sensitive to price changes.
| - Calls for a $0.36 per-pack tax to fund new health initiatives and balance state budget.
| | COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS | | - Calls for building new community health centers and taking advantage of federal funding for health programs.
| - Proposes spending $20 million to fund community health centers over four years.
| | GUN VIOLENCE | | - Calls for punishing criminals who use guns to commit crimes.
- Calls for more resources to treat drug addiction, mental illness, and other problems among people who should not have guns, such as children, criminals, and the mentally impaired.
| - Supports enforcement of existing gun laws and wants to fund programs proven to work.
- Cited School research which found state’s "Saturday Night Special" gun ban saves estimated 40 lives per year.
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