Latest news with #MarylandDepartmentofHealth
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Kalyanaraman becomes latest to leave Maryland Department of Health
Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman testified in March on nursing home inspections to the House Health and Government Operations Committee. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters) The deputy secretary of public health services is leaving the Maryland Department of Health this week after two years serving under the Moore Administration and more than a decade in both private and public health services in Maryland, state officials confirmed Monday. Tuesday will be Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman's last day with the department. 'We thank Dr. Kalyanaraman for raising his hand to serve the people of Maryland — especially through the COVID pandemic — as a dedicated champion for public health,' according to a spokesperson for Gov. Wes Moore. His departure is the latest in a string that began in February, when then-Secretary Laura Herrera Scott left amid several controversies at the department, including oversight issues at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center, a high-security hospital that has been riddled with complaints of patient abuse and violence. Secretary Meena Seshamani, a former top official with the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, took the reins of the department in April. Just last week, Erin McCullen left her position as the department's chief of staff, a position she's held since 2023. McCullen also worked in the department in various positions from 2013 through 2017. Chase Cook also left his job last week as the department's director of communications, following several years in the position. Former CMS administrator takes helm of controversy-laden health department As the deputy secretary of public health services, Kalyanaraman has spoken on a wide variety of health and safety issues throughout the years — from heat illnesses and dental health workforce to bird flu threat levels and more. Before working with the Moore administration, Kalyanaraman served as the health officer for Anne Arundel County from September 2019 through March 2023, leading the county through the COVID-19 pandemic. 'He was a really, really good resource for the issues that we dealt with during COVID,' said Sen. Pam Beidle (D-Anne Arundel), chair of the Senate Finance Committee. 'He was always willing to do a webinar with us and our constituents. I think he did a really good job guiding our county through COVID.' Before his time in local government, Kalyanaraman served from 2012 to 2019 as the chief health officer for Baltimore-based Health Care for the Homeless, a nonprofit that provides health care and housing support to 10,000 people in the region annually. He leaves a health department that's trying to pull itself out of a series of controversies and challenges. During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers grilled Kalyanaraman for answers about one of those controversies — a significant backlog of nursing home annual inspections. Kalyanaraman argued that the department had been making progress on the backlog of state inspections, but lawmakers remain concerned that some facilities had not received annual inspections for over four years, putting vulnerable senior citizens at risk of inadequate care. Kalyanaraman declined Monday to comment on his departure. Neither McCullen nor Cook responded to a request for comment. But McCullen said in a social media post about her departure from the health department that she was 'filled with immense gratitude for the privilege of serving alongside such dedicated public servants.' 'The experience has been invaluable, and I am forever thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the health and well-being of Marylanders alongside some of the best people you will ever meet,' she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Epoch Times
14-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
New Maryland Law Unlocks $25 Million Funds to Pay for Abortion
Maryland will soon begin using millions of dollars collected through a surcharge on insurance plans sold under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, to pay for abortion. Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday signed into law The surcharge, which totals $25 million, has existed for years but has remained inaccessible to the state until now. Under the new law, the Maryland Department of Health will be able to use the money to reimburse abortion providers, particularly for abortions for uninsured or underinsured women. The new law also states that the funds must be used solely for abortions and not for anything else, such as clinic infrastructure, equipment, or security. That language addresses concerns that surfaced last year when a similar bill proposed using the insurance surcharge dollars to help boost security for abortion clinics, prompting conflicting legal opinions from the attorney general's office and ultimately stalling the measure. Since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 overturned a seminal precedent that largely legalized abortion nationally and returned the issue to individual states, Maryland has seen a surge in demand for abortion services, drawing patients from neighboring states where new restrictions have taken effect. Maryland solidified its role as a regional haven in 2023 by passing a law that shields abortion providers from prosecution in other states. It cemented that stance in 2024 when voters approved a ballot measure to make abortion a state constitutional right. Related Stories 2/26/2025 1/24/2025 'The lieutenant governor and I were very clear, from day one, that Maryland will always be a safe haven for abortion access,' Moore said during a bill-signing ceremony at the State House. The law, which will take effect on July 1, has drawn criticism from pro-life advocates. Laura Bogley, executive director of Maryland Right to Life, took issue with the state's priorities, arguing that the policy benefits the abortion industry at the expense of women in need. 'Poor women do not need free abortions. They need public support programs that will empower them to choose life for their children,' she said in Bogley said that the funding mechanism, which draws from insurance premiums, essentially forces all policyholders in Maryland's ACA marketplace to subsidize abortion, regardless of their personal or religious beliefs. 'This not only increases healthcare costs for all, it also infringes on our First Amendment freedoms, including rights of conscience and the free exercise of religion,' she said. Maryland is one of a dozen states that mandate that private insurance plans sold through the ACA marketplace include abortion coverage, according to the health policy research group KFF. The
CBS News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Maryland Gov. Moore will sign 170 bills into Maryland law, covering abortion access, reckless driving, and more
Maryland Governor Wes Moore will sign 170 bills into law on Tuesday, covering abortion access, reckless driving, environmental responsibility, and more. Here's a look at some of the bills that will become law. Improving the Chesapeake Bay water quality The Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act (HB 506) aims to improve the bay's water quality while driving economic growth in the region. The act supports farmers in developing more efficient farming methods and improves oyster aquaculture. It also introduces the Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming program and establishes water quality trading credits for oyster restoration projects. Recently, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation said it was concerned about the Trump administration's plans to propose budget cuts to the NOAA, a decision which could jeopardize bay restoration progress. Environmental responsibility Moore will also sign SB 901, which aims to increase recycling rates, reduce waste, and promote the use of sustainable packaging. The law requires producers to submit a five-year plan by July 2028, establish goals for recycled content and recycling rates, and conduct statewide needs assessments every decade. Reproductive healthcare funding The Public Health Abortion Grant Program (HB 930) will establish a dedicated fund to improve access to abortion care services in Maryland, particularly for those with limited financial resources. Administered by the Maryland Department of Health, the program will provide grants to eligible organizations that provide or fund abortion services, with at least 90% of appropriated funds going directly to grants. The program also includes confidentiality protections for staff, practitioners, and individuals receiving service. Abortion has been a popular topic among Maryland voters. In January, Gov. Moore signed a proclamation enshrining access to abortion into the state's constitution after voters approved ballot question 1 in the 2024 election. Reckless driving Senate Bill 590, the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act, amends Maryland's motor vehicle laws to strengthen penalties for reckless, negligent, and aggressive driving. The bill is named after a Montgomery County Police officer who was paralyzed after being struck by a reckless driver. In addition, the measure adjusts Maryland's driver point system, assigning 2 points for negligent driving and 6 points for speeding 30 mph or more over the limit. It also expands the definition of aggressive driving to include behaviors such as disobeying traffic control devices, unsafe passing, and failing to yield to pedestrians. Maryland has made other efforts to ramp up traffic enforcement. In May, the penalties for speed camera violations in work zones increased to $80, with a tiered system penalizing offenders based on how much faster they are going beyond the speed limit. The full list of bills expected to be signed are available here.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
State officials, advocates fear impact of expected Medicaid cuts in House bill
The Maryland Department of Health oversees the state's 1.55 million Medicaid recipients. (Photo by Danielle E. Gaines/Maryland Matters) State officials and health care advocates worry that many Marylanders on Medicaid could lose coverage under a recent proposal from congressional Republicans that aims to cut billions in federal dollars by tightening program eligibility and other administrative hurdles. While state officials are still determining the full scope of the GOP proposal unveiled Sunday night, they anticipate that a 'significant' portion of Maryland's 1.55 million Medicaid recipients could lose coverage under the current proposal. 'No matter how you slice it, we're going to see the most vulnerable in our communities lose health coverage,' said U.S. Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-3rd). In an attempt to find $880 billion in federal savings, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce released language for a budget reconciliation bill that would make hefty changes to the Medicaid eligibility process when people enroll or reenroll in the program. Ryan Moran, the Maryland Department of Health deputy secretary who focuses on Medicaid, said the proposal gives the department a clearer idea of how the Trump administration plans to cut federal funding to Medicaid — but many questions remain on the total impact to Maryland's Medicaid population. Report: Up to 100,000 Marylanders could lose coverage if Medicaid imposes work requirements 'This has been something that … has long been discussed since the election of the Trump administration,' Moran said. 'Now that … there is text to actually react to, that is the work that we will be going through over the next couple days to understand in more detail.' Medicaid is a health care program that is jointly funded by state and federal dollars to help lower-income households and certain other populations receive health coverage. About 25% of Marylanders receive health care through Medicaid. There are several components to the proposal that could affect Maryland's Medicaid operations, such as language to restrict federal Medicaid dollars from going to certain abortion providers or gender-affirming care for youths. The proposal also would restrict a state's ability to tax health care providers to help fund the state's share of Medicaid. In addition, the proposal would cut federal funding from states that use their own money to help provide health care coverage for undocumented residents. Moran said that the department is evaluating how that language could affect some of Maryland's Medicaid programs that undocumented individuals could benefit from. As for Medicaid recipients, the budget reconciliation proposal calls for work requirements for people to stay enrolled in the program. The proposal exempts students, family caregivers, people with disabilities and some other cases. The budget reconciliation proposal also requires that recipients prove eligibility for Medicaid every six months opposed to the current annual redetermination process. These two factors combined, plus other tightened eligibility requirements, would likely mean that many Marylanders would have to jump through hoops to get health care coverage through Medicaid, and some will likely fall through the cracks. 'Ultimately, what ends up happening is that individuals don't go through the red tape to actually enroll in coverage,' Moran said. 'So, it really does lead to a loss of coverage for individuals … who would otherwise be eligible. 'It's making it harder for people to enroll. Fewer people do enroll, and that has dramatic, significant impacts on the health care ecosystem,' he said. 'But it does, in the end, provide the federal savings that you were looking for — by having fewer enrollments into the program.' U.S. House GOP mandates Medicaid work requirements in giant bill slashing spending The proposed budget would also require significant state resources to conduct the increased eligibility checks for the 1.55 million Marylanders on Medicaid, which will likely 'put a burden on Maryland's system,' said Gene Ransom, CEO for MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society. Sen. Pamela Beidle (D-Anne Arundel), who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, added that there could be additional downstream effects – such as additional strain on the state's already extended emergency room wait times, which are some of the highest in the nation. With more uninsured people, she said, there will be more Marylanders receiving health care in emergency rooms. 'Emergency rooms will be more crowded than they already are,' Beidle said. While the state works through the details of Sunday's proposals, Moran noted that it is still early in the legislative process and there could be changes down the line – for better or worse for the state. 'This is the first take' Moran said. 'This is the start of a process that we will be watching over the course of the next few months. Just because things are included as proposals today, that doesn't mean there couldn't be other changes or amendments.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
CBS News
28-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Proposed Maryland bill would relax cannabis laws, while cracking down on gun trafficking
A proposed bill that would relax Maryland's cannabis laws while increasing penalties for firearm trafficking is making its way through the Maryland Senate. Maryland House Bill 413 would make it legal for adults over the age of 21 to manufacture cannabis products or concentrates for personal use or adult sharing at a private residence, provided the process does not involve volatile solvents. In Maryland, personal use amounts of cannabis are defined as up to 1.5 ounces of usable cannabis, up to 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, cannabis products containing 750 milligrams or fewer of THC, and no more than two cannabis plants. The penalty for possessing 50 or more pounds of cannabis, which is currently a felony charge with a five-year minimum sentence, would be downgraded to a misdemeanor charge, "subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $50,000, or both," under the bill. Those sentenced on or before Sep. 30, 2025, for charges relating to cannabis-related volume dealing, would have an opportunity to receive a sentence reduction. Under the bill, the penalty for cannabis-only drug kingpin conspiracies would be limited to a 20-year prison sentence, a fine up to $100,000, or both punishments. The bill also relaxes penalties for cocaine base, while keeping existing penalties for possessing and distributing fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin. Cannabis legalization in Maryland has been profitable for the state. Maryland collected $14.6 million in tax revenue from cannabis sales in just the first three months of 2024. Adult use sales doubled between July 1, 2023, when recreational cannabis was legalized, and the same day in 2024. Maryland also became the first state to open a cannabis licensing round solely for qualifying social equity applicants across all license types, which is helping to create opportunities in communities historically impacted by cannabis prohibition. In November 2024, the Maryland Department of Health launched a Cannabis Public Health Data Dashboard to track the impacts of cannabis use on public health since legalization. Data has shown that while youth cannabis use has decreased, cannabis-related emergency room visits have increased among adults ages 20 to 29. Earlier this year, WJZ spoke to a Maryland doctor who said hospitals are seeing an uptick in visits related to Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) , a severe condition that develops after using high concentrations of cannabinoids over a long period. Symptoms of CHS include cyclic vomiting, stomach pains, migraines, nausea, and diarrhea. The proposed bill would increase the penalty for trafficking stolen firearms from a misdemeanor charge, to a felony. Violators would be eligible for sentences up to five years, with a fine up to $10,000, or both punishments, under the bill. The penalty for transporting firearms illegally would also be changed from a misdemeanor to a felony, with a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison, and a fine up to $25,000, or both punishments. The bill would also make possessing "ghost guns", or firearms without a serial number, a felony punishable by serving up to five years in prison, or a $10,000 fine. Each firearm would be a separate violation. In 2023, the Maryland General Assembly passed a law banning the sale or transfer of ghost guns. Reducing gun violence has been a priority for Maryland leaders. In February 2025, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott filed a lawsuit against gun manufacturer Glock, alleging that the company violated the state's Gun Industry Accountability Act and contributed to the gun violence crisis by manufacturing pistols that can easily be converted into machine guns. Baltimore City saw major drops in gun violence and homicides for the second consecutive year, with homicides down 23% in 2024 (201 compared to 261 in 2023) and non-fatal shootings dropping by 34% (414 compared to 635). The city also saw a 74% reduction in teen victims of homicides and non-fatal shootings. These improvements have been attributed to several initiatives, including Baltimore's Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) and collaboration with the U.S. Attorney's Office through Project Safe Neighborhoods, which assembled special prosecutors to indict firearm offenses. Despite decreases, youth violence is still a concern for state officials. On Feb. 22, a double shooting near the Mall in Columbia in Howard County left 16-year-old Michael Robertson dead and 15-year-old Blake McCray injured. McCray later died from his injuries on February 27. The accused shooter, 18-year-old Emmetson Zeah, was already out on bail for previous violent crimes and is now charged with first-degree murder. On March 4, 2025, a 16-year-old Lansdowne High School student was shot and killed after being chased by a gunman onto school property. Other efforts to reduce youth gun violence have included Jaelynn's Law, which prohibits storing loaded firearms in locations where an unsupervised minor might access them. This month, the Maryland Health Department announced grant funding to local jurisdictions to reduce gun violence.
