Healthcare
Mary-Dulany knows that access to affordable healthcare is an essential part of a high quality of life for citizens of all ages, and during her time as the Chairperson of the Health and Human Resources Subcommittee, she made this one of her top priorities.
In her first term in Annapolis, Mary-Dulany James won a huge battle for the citizens of Maryland with her sponsorship of the Senior Prescription Drug Relief Act. This Act created both the Maryland Pharmacy Discount Program and the Maryland MEDBANK Program, making affordable prescription drugs more accessible to Maryland’s senior citizens.
In 2002, Mary-Dulany was essential in ensuring the passage of the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Act, which established a program to provide healthcare coverage to 100,000 children here in Maryland. Prior to this legislation, Maryland had one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country, especially in minority communities. She worked diligently to ensure that this program continued to receive adequate funding, ensuring access to healthcare and a better quality of life for Maryland’s children.
In 2008, Mary-Dulany James was instrumental in expanding the Maryland P3 Program into Harford County. The Maryland P3 Program is a partnership between the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Maryland Pharmacists Association aimed at advising patients on the proper use of their prescription drugs.
In 2010, Mary-Dulany helped draft the Maryland False Health Claims Act, which aimed to save millions of taxpayer dollars by thwarting Medicaid fraud. The Act established civil penalties for individuals who perpetrate Medicaid fraud against the state’s healthcare system.
Throughout her tenure as Chair of the Health and Human Resources Subcommittee, Mary-Dulany James was steadfast in her dedication to ensuring that Marylanders have access to some of the best healthcare in the country. In addition to securing necessary funding for University of Maryland Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital, two of the best hospitals in the nation, Mary-Dulany fought to provide millions of dollars in funding for local hospitals such as Harford Memorial Hospital, Upper Chesapeake Hospital, and Unions Memorial Hospital.
It was also as Chair of the Health and Human Resources subcommittee that Mary-Dulany learned firsthand about the seriousness of the opioid crisis, which has claimed thousands of lives in Maryland and continues still today. She worked to create a pilot program for addiction treatment using a prescription drug that is now nationally recognized as one of the most effective ways to help treat addiction. The program’s success informed consequent statewide policy targeting opioid addiction.
In the present day, Mary-Dulany supports the legislation put forth by Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Elijah Cummings which seeks to establish full parity in terms of treatment and insurance coverage between narcotic addiction and physical illness. This measure would also provide block grants to states like Maryland to ensure that those affected are able to access treatment immediately, and continue treatment until it has been successful as opposed to limitations on care.
As your Senator, Mary-Dulany James will work to fight back against efforts to gut the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid services. Additionally, she will continue to be a staunch advocate for providing services aimed at addressing the opioid crisis in Maryland, ensuring that those who need treatment are able to access that treatment in a safe and affordable manner.