Health Policy Institute Internship Presentation Sarah E. Nelson, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Health Policy Institute Internship Presentation

Sarah E. Nelson, MD, MPH Candidate Johns Hopkins University May 7, 2020

Office

• Senator Sarah Elfreth
• District 30: Annapolis and Southern Anne Arundel County
• Chief of Staff Johntel Greene
• Legislative Director Dylan Behler
• Additional interns and volunteers

3 Topic Areas of Focus

• House Bill 4/Senate Bill 208 – Long guns bill
• House Bill 839/Senate Bill 539 – “Time to Care”, paid

medical and family leave

• House Bill 1663/Senate Bill 1080 – Emergency bill in

response to COVID-19 pandemic

Long Guns Bill

• House Bill 4/Senate Bill 208
• Public health implications
• Put together a graphic on important additional points to

highlight

Long Guns Bill

• Also: helped prepare responses to letters from constituents
• Challenges & lessons:
• senator was not the primary sponsor of the bill
• can take a team to pass this bill
• Legislative outcome: Passed both chambers and proceeded

to governor

“Time to Care” – Paid Family and Medical Leave

• House Bill 839/Senate Bill 539
• Public health implications
• Collated several talking points that were lesser known benefits
• f the bill

Talking Points

• What is [paid family and medical leave] and why is this important?
• Are there benefits to employers who give paid leave?
• How does paid family leave affect health disparities?
• How does paid family leave benefit people’s own illnesses and

caregivers?

• How was support for this policy won in other states?
• How does paid leave impact government revenues/spending?
• What are some other compelling thoughts in support of paid family

leave?

“Time to Care” – Paid Family and Medical Leave

• Challenges & lessons:
• The senator was not directly sponsoring the bill
• discovered just how important it is and how well supported it is by

the data

• Legislative outcome: referred to the Finance Committee of

the Senate

COVID-19

• House Bill 1663/Senate Bill 1080
• Public health implications
• Prepared several talking points

Talking Points

• About COVID-19
• About COVID-19 in Maryland
• Who is at particular risk for COVID-19?
• What can you do to minimize your or others’ risk of contracting COVID-19?
• How can you prepare for COVID-19?
• What do you do if you believe you are sick with COVID-19?
• What is the Maryland Department of Health doing to help facilities

prepare?

• How are hospitals preparing for COVID-19?
• Is there any assistance/relief being provided to businesses/events that have

been negatively affected?

• How can I find out more information regarding COVID-19?

COVID-19

• Challenges & lessons:
• many unknowns about COVID-19 and its financial ramifications
• legislators can be very quick to react to pubic health emergencies
• Legislative outcome: approved by governor

Overall Lessons/Takeaways

• Much more responsive and accessible to constituents than originally

thought

• It is inspiring to see the number of people within and outside of the

senator’s office willing to collaborate on issues

• Over 660 bills during the abbreviated Session
• The senator’s office works hard!

Interactive Discussion

• “Time to Care” - Paid Family and Medical Leave

Thank you