1 Equity & Justice: A Practicum Experience in the 2020 Maryland General Assembly Policymaker: Senator Antonio L. Hayes 40th Legislative District- Baltimore City May 2020
2 Office of Senator Antonio L. Hayes • Rahwa Andemichael, Chief of Staff • Lora Mayo, Director of Community Engagement • Ian Genove , Legislative Aid • Alexa Thomas • Yana Mezhibovskaia • Lauren McNerney
3 Legislative District 40- Baltimore City • Delegates Frank Conaway Jr., Nick Mosby, and Melissa Wells also represent the district in Annapolis • Baltimore Senators: Jill P. Carter (D), Mary L. Washington (D), Charles E. Sydnor III (D), Cory V. McCray (D), and Senate President William C. Ferguson IV (D)
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5 Highlighted Legislation Senate Bill 929: P.R.O.T.E.C.T. Public Resources • Organizing to End Crime Together Act Senate Bill 931: Specialty Drug- Diabetes & HIV/AIDS • Medications Senate Bill 940: Vision Care for Low-Income Children • Senate Bill 539: Paid Family & Medical Leave- Time to • Care Act
6 Public & Healthcare Safety • Public Resources Organizing to End Crime Together P.R.O.T.E.C.T. (SB 929) ▫ Brief overview: This bill targets violent crime by implementing resources and crime prevention measures, specifically in high-crime micro-zones. ▫ Public health context: Baltimore City had 348 homicides in 2019, once again breaking its murder per-capita record. 30.% of murder victims and 26.7% of suspects were on parole/probation. ▫ Lessons learned: Attempting different methods when things don’t work. Collaboration between the BPD, Juvenile Services, and Parole and Probation and Focus on Prevention. ▫ Legislative Outcome: PASSED on March 17, 2020
7 Health Equity • Diabetes and HIV/AIDS Medication Access (SB 931) ▫ Brief overview: This bill sought to remove certain medications used to treat diabetes and HIV/AIDs from the Secretary of Health’s “specialty drugs” classification. ▫ Public health context: Since only a few pharmacies have license to prescribe these drugs, this designation comes with a serious threat to access for our most vulnerable ▫ Lessons learned: To always remember the practical aspect of health and healthcare, meeting patients where they are and closing gaps where possible. ▫ Legislative Outcome: PASSED on March 18, 2020 • Vision Care for Low-Income Children (SB 940) ▫ Brief overview: This bill sought to implement a Children’s Health Program Health Service Initiative for vision care ▫ *Dropped
8 Paid Family and Medical Leave: Time to Care Act ▫ Brief overview: Up to 12 weeks of leave with income partially replaced through a state insurance program ▫ Public health context: 83% of US workers and the vast majority of those in Maryland lack paid family leave through employees. Nearly 25% of women take 10 or fewer days of maternity leave. ▫ Lessons learned: The importance of rallying stakeholders and having well-rounded perspectives to the table. Session moves quickly! ▫ Legislative Outcome: Stuck in Finance Committee * Other States : Rhode Island, California, New Jersey, New York, District of Columbia, Washington, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon, Hawaii*
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10 Interactive Discussion ▫ Discuss any similarities or differences you noticed between your usual work and that of policy. ▫ Would you say there are certain topics/subjects that should not be hashed out in the political arena?
11 Lessons Learned and Conclusions • With a good initiative and strong backing, getting legislation passed is not as far fetched as I had once imagined • There is much opportunity for the expertise of clinicians and public health experts in policy • Policy is a critical avenue for effective and sustainable change
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13 Thank You!
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