They says their constituents have a lot of questions about the future of health care.
Frederick, Md (KM). The future of health care in Maryland will be the topic of a town hall meeting later month in Frederick. It’s being organized by Delegates Karen Lewis Young and Carol Krimm.
“As we met and spoke with our constituents, so many people were confused and concerned about what’s happening with health care; what’s the federal government going to do; how will that impact Marylanders; what does Maryland have in the planning as contingency plans,” says Delegate Young.
She says some of the questions being asked by constituents include “Why are my premiums going up so much? How will my health care be changed going forward? What can the state do if the federal government reduces Medicaid.”
In Washington, the Republican led Congress has talked about repealing the Affordable Care Act, and replacing it with something new. But their two efforts to “repeal and replace” have not been successful. President Trump is also talking about making changes to health care in the country, claiming the ACA (also known as Obamacare) is “imploding.”
The town hall meeting will take place at the FCC Kussmaul Theater on Thursday, October 26th from 6:30 PM until 8:30 PM. At the meeting, Delegate Young says she will be talking about three health care bills which passed the General Assembly last year. She will also give an update on a commission set up to make recommendations if actions by the federal government significantly affect health care. Delegate Krimm, who serves on the Appropriations Committee, will discuss financials, including how much the state spends on health care and how it’s grown over the years, and what would happen if Maryland’s Medicaid expansion status is cut . Frederick County Health Officer Dr. Barbara Brookmyer will talking about health care in the county, and where to go for services. Heather Forsyth, Director of Consumer Assistance for the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, will talk about where to go if you don’t health care.
There will also be opportunities for citizens to ask questions, Delegate Young says. “We want to hear what’s on people’s minds. We’ll answer what we can, and we’ll get back to others with those that we can answer.”
Delegate Young says a town hall meeting such as this could lead to legislation being written for the upcoming Maryland General Assembly which convenes on January 10th, 2018. “We will forward to the legislative session in 2018 those kinds of questions and concerns that are not being addressed,” she says.
By Kevin McManus