Kate Farinholt and Jessica Honke: Another side to OCC issue
We feel compelled to respond to the Maryland Disability Law Center’s commentary on Aug. 7 regarding The Daily Record’s July 31 editorial, “Sharfstein’s report card.”
Small business insurance exchange still long way off
Maryland officials still hope to enlist the private sector to develop a health insurance exchange for small businesses, but progress is slow.
Maryland makes switch on health exchange
Maryland will abandon the underlying software used for the state’s malfunctioning health insurance exchange and replace it with a system used successfully in Connecticut, state officials decided Tuesday night.
Md. officials outline plan to save Medicare waiver
ANNAPOLIS — Maryland health officials on Wednesday outlined major changes to how hospital costs are paid in an effort to keep the state’s unique Medicare waiver agreement with the federal government — a deal that has provided enormous financial benefits to the state in recent decades. Joshua Sharfstein, the state’s health secretary, and John Colmers, […]
Prince George’s police: Car accident death not storm-related
Prince George’s County police say a car accident death that occurred overnight doesn’t appear to be storm-related. A police spokeswoman said Tuesday the death occurred in Capitol Heights as a man, identified as Aaron Jerome Smith, tried to change a car tire. The spokeswoman says the jack shifted as Smith was working on the van […]
Health reform panel to vote on benchmark plan
ANNAPOLIS — A Maryland panel working on implementing federal health care reform is planning to take a vote on the state’s benchmark health benefit plan. The Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council is scheduled to meet Thursday in Annapolis. The panel is co-chaired by Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Maryland Department of Health and Mental […]
O’Malley opposing medical marijuana bills
ANNAPOLIS — Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s administration opposed Friday measures to legalize medical marijuana, citing concerns that state employees could face federal prosecution for putting into place proposals now before state lawmakers. Joshua Sharfstein, the governor’s health secretary, spoke out against the legislation at a bill hearing. He said he supports the concept [...]
O’Malley increases DDA funding
After a rocky six months for the Developmental Disabilities Administration, Gov. Martin O’Malley’s fiscal year 2013 budget proposal increases funding by about $31 million and creates a new fund so unspent money will stay in the agency. Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Joshua Sharfstein and Developmental Disabilities Administration Director Thomas Frank Kirkland sent […]
Letters to the Editor – 11/18/11
As the two chief volunteer officers of The Arc Baltimore, we share the concern, indeed the outrage, over the news that the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), reverted unspent funds to the state general fund. (“Maryland disabilities agency leaves $38M unspent,” Nov. 9). As an advocacy organization, we represent families on waiting lists who desperately need […]
State health officials seek ban on crib bumper pads
Maryland proposed the first statewide ban on the sale of crib bumper pads Tuesday, with health officials saying they pose unnecessary risks to infants. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s informal proposal for a ban stems from a four-member task force’s recommendation in May that the state declare crib bumpers a hazard because […]
Maryland officials to investigate baby crib pads
ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland health department will be discussing its next steps in an investigation into baby crib bumper pads, which some studies have linked to asphyxia and death in young infants. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced Monday that several state and local health officials will be gathering to talk about […]
State health care committee to meet in Annapolis
ANNAPOLIS — A Maryland health care reform committee is meeting this week in Annapolis. Monday’s meeting of the Health Care Reform Coordinating Council will be the first meeting of 2011 and its ninth meeting overall. The meeting will be led by Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who co-chairs the committee along with Joshua Sharfstein, Maryland’s secretary […]