THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

WE BEGIN THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM ON LOCATION IN THE CHERRY HILL SECTION OF SOUTH BALTIMORE.

THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE CITY'S MOST DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOODS, BUT LATELY THE TREND HAS.POSITIVE WITH A NUMBER OF HOMICIDES DECLINING CITYWIDE, BY ABOUT HALF.

NONETHELESS, PRESIDENT TRUMP MENTIONED BALTIMORE THIS WEEK AMONG HIS LIST OF CRIME HOTSPOTS.

THE PRESIDENT ORDERING TROOPS INTO DC TO DEAL WITH STREET CRIME THERE.

BALTIMORE'S APPROACH HAS BEEN DIFFERENT.

A SMALLER POLICE FORCE WITH VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS WORKING FOR THE SAFE STREETS PROGRAM OUT OF OFFICES LIKE THIS IN CHERRY HILL.

WE SPOKE WITH STEFANIE MAVRONIS DIRECTOR OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY AND ENGAGEMENT.

THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: IT SEEMS LIKE WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN BALTIMORE IS THE OPPOSITE OF SENDING IN THE NATIONAL GUARD.

DOES THAT SOUND ABOUT RIGHT?

>> THAT SOUNDS RIGHT.

I THINK WHAT WE KNOW AND LEARNED HERE IN PERFORM IS THAT IN ORDER TO TRULY BUILD PUBLIC SAFETY WE HAVE TO GO BEYOND THE ROLE OF POLICE, PRISONS AND PROSECUTION AND TAKING IT PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO VIOLENCE REDUCTION, PREVENTION HAS BEEN AT THE HEART OF OUR WORK.

IT'S ABOUT BRINGING IN ALL OF GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM.

AND ALSO ABOUT HOW WE LEVERAGE OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH GRASSROOTS INITIATIVES WITH COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERS.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT THAT COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY.

AND WE KNOW IF WE DON'T GET UPSTREAM AND NOT LOOKING HOW WE PREVENT VIOLENCE WE ARE NEVER GOING TO BUILD PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND WE HAVE BEEN TAKING A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

>> Jeff: HOW MUCH SKEPTICISM WAS THERE AT THE BEGINNING ABOUT TAKING A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO SOMETHING THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LAW AND ORDER MATTER?

>> THERE WAS A FAIR AMOUNT OF SKEPTICISM, ONE OF THE MOST COMMON THINGS WE HEARD WHEN WE EMBARKED ON THIS BACK IN JULY, 2021 WAS THAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE 30 YEARS TO START TO REALIZE THE OUTCOMES OF THIS WORK.

AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING WHEN YOU PAIR THAT PREVENTION WORK WITH INTERVENTIONS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW TO STOP THAT NEXT HOMICIDE, WE'RE SEEING RESULTS TODAY.

WE'RE SEEING RESULTS THAT ARE SUSTAINING.

WE'VE WANTED TO TAKE AN APPROACH OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN A MORE SUSTAINABLE WAY, ONE THAT IS NOT JUST REDUCING VIOLENCE FOR THE MOMENT OR A YEAR OR TWO BUT SOMETHING THAT IS CHANGING THE CULTURE OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR CITY AND CHANGING THE WAY WE ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE AND UNDERSTAND HOW WE MAKE OUR CITY SAFE.

>> Jeff: HOW DOES IT WORK?

THE NUTS AND BOLTS YOU HAVE OFFICES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY WHAT IS AND HAPPENING ON A DAILY BASIS?

>> UNDER THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY AND ENGAGEMENT WE HAVE DIFFERENT LANES SPANNING PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, REENTRY, REHABILITATION INITIATIVES.

OUR OFFICE IS INVOLVED WITH THE GROUP VIOLENCE REDUCTION STRATEGY.

A FOCUSED DETERRENCE INITIATIVE WE ARE IDENTIFYING PEOPLE ENGAGED IN GROUP RELATED VIOLENCE AND IMMEDIATELY STAGING INTERVENTIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN REALTIME.

WE ALSO HAVE THE WORK OF COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION UNDER OUR BELT THAT INCLUDES INITIATIVES LIKE SAFE STREETS AND HERE HERE AT THE SITE TODAY AND OUR WORK WITH OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEMS TREATING PATIENTS AND SITTING WITH THEM BEDSIDE AND MAKING SURE WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL THEY ARE NOT GOING TO COMMIT AN ACT OF VIOLENCE IN RETALIATION AND REVICTIMIZED.

BRINGING THE ENTITIES INTO A COMMON NETWORK.

AND WE DO REENTRY AND THAT RELATES TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND VICTIMS SERVICES.

WHEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED BY VIOLENCE, IT MEANS THEY MAYBE MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMIZED AGAIN OR RESORT TO A FORM OF RETALLTATION.

WHEN WE CAN SUPPORT THEM IN THAT TIME OF NEED WE'RE SEEING THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT IS A LOT THAT FALLS UNDER THAT BANNER.

FOR US IT IS THE DIVERSITY OF THE STRATEGIES THAT IS ALLOWING US TO SEE THE RESULTS WE'RE SEEING.

>> Jeff: YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT AT THE HOSPITAL SOMEBODY WHO HAS MAYBE BEEN SHOT AND THEY HAVE BEEN TREATED AND PROBABLY HAD SURGERY THEY WANT REVENGE AND YOU ARE GOING TO TALK THEM OUT OF IT.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

>> OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEMS ACROSS NINE HOSPITALS FIVE OF OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEMS THAT SERVE THE MAJORITY OF OUR TRAUMA PATIENTS THEY HAVE CREDIBLE MESSENGERS INSIDE THE HOSPITALS.

WHO ARE CONNECTED TO ALL OF THE WRAP AROUND SERVICES AT THAT TIME EXIST CONNECTED TO OUR OFFICE.

AND SO THEY ARE LITERALLY SITTING BEDSIDE FOR AT THAT TIME PERSON SAYING WE DON'T WANT YOU TO END UP BACK HERE AND WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T.

AND PEOPLE SPEAKING FROM THE EXPERIENCE HAVING BEEN SHOT AND THE EXPERIENCE OF GROWING UP IN A COMMUNITY SIMILAR TO WHAT PEOPLE ARE COMING INTO THE HOSPITAL FROM.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND MAKING THAT RELATIONSHIP IN CONNECTION AND CONNECT THAT TO INITIATIVES THAT DO SIMILAR WORK FROM SAFE STREETS TO OTHERS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOSPITAL IS HELPING MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE SUPPORT FOR ANYONE WHO IS A VICTIM.

>> Jeff: HOW MUCH OF THIS APPROACH IS HOMEGROWN IN BALTIMORE AS OPPOSED TO TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN OTHER CITIES?

>> WE HAVE MODELS IN BALTIMORE THAT COME FROM OTHER CITIES.

THAT MAY HAVE ORIGINATED IN OTHER CITIES.

BUT THE BEAUTY OF OUR APPROACH IN BALTIMORE IS THAT WE'VE ADAPTED IT HEAVILY TO THE PARTICULARS OF OUR CITY.

WE ARE A UNIQUE CITY WE HAVE A UNIQUE HISTORY.

WE ARE DIVERSE AS FAR AS OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IN EVERY CORNER OF THE CITY.

WE HAVE TO HOME GROW OUR APPROACHES.

BUT IT IS A BLEND OF APPROACHES.

WE HAVE MODELS LIKE ROW KA, PART OF OUR COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION ECOSYSTEM FOUNDED IN MASSACHUSETTS BUT THE BALTIMORE ELEMENT HAS ADAPTED TO THE CULTURE OF BALTIMORE.

SO I THINK WE SEE A LOT OF INITIATIVES LIKE THAT.

SAFE STREETS PULLS FROM THE CARE VIOLENCE MODEL A NATIONAL MODEL HOW DO YOU INTERRUPT VIOLENCE USING A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH.

THAT COMES FROM THAT NATIONAL MODEL BUT WE ADOPTED TO BALTIMORE'S CULTURE AS WELL.

YOU SEE A BLENDING OF APPROACHES AND ALSO NOT AN OVERRELIANCE ON ANY ONE APPROACH.

WE NEED LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS TO ADDRESS PEOPLE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF THEIR LIFE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVENE.

>> Jeff: THE VIOLENCE HAS GONE HAND IN HAND WITH THE DRUG TRADE FOR DECADES AND DECADES.

THE VIOLENCE IS DOWN.

DO YOU SEE ANY CHANGE IN THE DRUG TRADE?

>> WE DO SEE DRUGS AND VIOLENCE GO TOGETHER.

AND OUR FOCUS HAS BEEN ON I MENTIONED THE GROUP VIOLENCE REDUCTION STRATEGY, OUR FOCUS HAS BEEN ON ADDRESSING GROUPS AND HOLDING GROUPS ACCOUNTABLE COMMITTING VIOLENCE AND THAT VIOLENCE MAYBE CONNECTED TO DRUGS.

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THE NEWS STORIES ABOUT SOME OF THE RECENT MAJOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TAKE DOWNS WE'VE HAD WHICH HAVE INVOLVED GROUPS THAT WERE SELLING DRUGS.

THAT HAS BEEN A PART OF OUR WORK.

WE ARE NOT IDENTIFYING GROUPS BASED ON THEM SELLING DRUGS BUT IF WE FOR VIOLENCE GOES WITH IT THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO ADDRESS.

AND NOT ONLY HAVE WE PULLED PEOPLE OUT OF THAT LIFE AND CONNECT THEM WITH THE SERVICES, OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT THAT HAVE ALLOWED THEM TO TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES, IN THE CASES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE NOT TAKEN US UP ON THE OFFER AND ENGAGE IN THE ACTIVITY AND THAT VIOLENCE THEY HAVE BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

BRINGING ALL ASPECTS OF THAT APPROACH HAS BEEN IMPORTANT.

AND WE WANT TO LOOK AT PUBLIC SAFETY FROM A HOLISTIC LENS.

>> Jeff: YOUR PERCEPTIVE ON THE LAST FIVE YEARS WE HAD THE PANDEMIC AND THE GEORGE FLOYD HOMICIDE AND NATIONALLY WE HAD A LOT MORE MURDERS IN BIG CITIES ALL OVER THE PLACE.

WE'RE SEEING THAT TREND REVERSE A BIT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED?

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW?

>> BALTIMORE WAS UNIQUE WE DID NOT SEE A SPIKE OF VIOLENCE DURING THE PANDEMIC THE WAY OTHER CITIES DID.

>> Jeff: WE ARE GETTING OVER THE FREDDIE GRAY SPIKE FIVE YEARS PRIOR?

>> WE WERE EARLY AHEAD OF THE CURVE IN THE SENSE WE HAD OUR UPRISING HERE IN BALTIMORE PRIOR TO THE NATIONAL PROTESTS AROUND GEORGE FLOYD.

IN SOME WAYS OUR CITY WENT THROUGH THAT MOVEMENT EARLIER.

I DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING THAT ATTRIBUTED TO THOSE INCIDENTS.

BUT WE KNOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE FACING ECONOMIC HARDSHIP WHEN PEOPLE ARE FIND TO GO HARD TO LIVE, THEY CAN RESORT TO THINGS THAT WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THEY CAN RESORT TO VIOLENCE.

I THINK FOR US HERE IN BALTIMORE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF OUR EXPERIENCE IN 2015 WITH THE BALTIMORE UPRISING, WAS THAT A WHOLE HOST OF ORGANIZATIONS COMMUNITY-BASED GRASSROOTS EFFORTS, REALLY CAME TOGETHER AS A CITY AND DEMANDED CHANGE.

AND DEMANDED THE CITY TO DO THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

AND I THINK RIGHT NOW WE'RE SEEING THE REALIZATION OF A LOT OF THOSE HOPES AND GOALS AND DREAMS THAT CAME 0 OUT OF THE UPRISING START TO COME TO FRUITION.

AT THE TIME I WAS A JOURNALIST COVERING SOME OF THE STORIES ON THE GROUND, THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTED TO SEE MORE COMMUNITY BASE ADD APPROACHES AS PART OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGY NOT SOLELY POLICE AND LOOKING TO POLICING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NOW WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF THOSE INITIATIVES BE ELEVATED AND RECEIVE GREATER INVESTMENT AND FUNDING THAT WORK IS VERY MUCH ONGOING.

AND WE HAVE BY NO MEANS SOLVED EVERYTHING HERE.

BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS A LOT OF PROMISING WORK THAT IS BEARING FRUIT.

AND WE WANT TO SUSTAIN IT LONG-TERM.

>> Jeff: IT'S HARD TO TELL HOW MUCH OF THE FRUIT IS COMING FROM SAFE STREETS AND THE OTHER EFFORTS, AND HOW MUCH OF IT IS THIS LARGER NATIONAL TREND?

>> WE'RE SEEING BALTIMORE OUTPACE THE NATIONAL TREND.

IT IS TRUE THERE'S BEEN NATIONAL DECLINES OF VIOLENCE BUT WE'RE TYPICALLY SEEING DOUBLE-DIGIT DECLINES OVER THE NATIONAL TREND HERE IN BALTIMORE.

NOT ONLY ARE WE SEEING THAT THOSE GREATER DECLINES IN BALTIMORE DEEPER DECLINES IN BALTIMORE WE'RE SEEING THEM BE SUSTAINED AND ALSO SEEING CITIES LOOK TO BALTIMORE NOW AS A LEADER IN THE WAY THAT WE CAN THINK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY IN A DIFFERENT AND MORE HOLISTIC WAY.

AND SO I DO THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING IN BALTIMORE IS SPECIAL.

WE KNOW THAT SAFE STREETS HAS OVER 900 CONFLICTS SO FAR THIS% YEAR.

LIKE THOSE ARE ALL INCIDENTS THAT COULD HAVE OTHERWISE POTENTIALLY RESORTED IN AN ACT OF VIOLENCE THAT DIDN'T.

WE KNOW WE'VE SERVED OVER 250 PEOPLE WITH A GROUP VIOLENCE REDUCTION STRATEGY WHO HAVE TAKEN US UP ON THE OFFER TO GET CONNECTED TO LIFE COACHING SERVICES AND EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER THINGS THAT SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

AND THOSE CASES, WE'RE TAKING THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN AT THE HIGHEST RISK OF GUN VIOLENCE, MAYBE HAVE ENGINE SHOOTER OR VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE THEMSELVES AND WE'RE NOT SEEING THEM COMMIT MORE VIOLENCE.

WE ARE NOT SEEING THEM GET IN TROUBLE AND ALSO NOT SEEING THEM BE KILLED.

OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE, ALIVE AND FREE.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

AND I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING UNIQUE HOW BALTIMORE IS APPROACHING THE PROBLEM BUILDING ON THE EXPERTISE OF BALTIMOREANS OUR COMMUNITIES WHO ARE ALSO NOW AT THE FOREFRONT OF HELPING LEAD THOSE SOLUTIONS.

>> Jeff: AND BEFORE WE GO, OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE SEEING SUCCESS.

BUT WE JUST HAD SIX PEOPLE SHOT AT NEAR PIMLICO LAST WEEKEND.

YOU ARE NOT WHERE YOU WANT TO BE?

>> ANYTIME THAT WE SEE A MASS SHOOTING OR ANY SHOOTING IN OUR CITY, IT IS HEARTBREAKING BECAUSE WE DO THIS WORK WE DON'T WANT TO SEE VIOLENCE.

I WAS OUT IN THAT COMMUNITY YESTERDAY TALKING TO SOME OF THE NEIGHBORS AND THEY SPOKE HOW IT'S NOT NORMAL FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> Jeff: THANKS TO STEFANIE MAVRONIS DIRECTOR OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY AND ENGAGEMENT.

>>> NOW A FIRST FOR THE MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC.

A WOMEN'S EVENT.

SUE COPPIN HAS OUR STORY.

>> FOR MAY'S WIN BUSH A RISING CYCLIST FROM SOUTHERN MARYLAND THE ADDITION OF THE WOMEN'S CLASSIC IS CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION OF PROGRESS, PASSION AND POSSIBILITIES.

>> FOR YOUNG GIRLS WATCHING FROM THE SIDELINES THIS RACE SAYS YOU BELONG HERE, YOU CAN DREAM BIG, AND THERE IS A PATH FOR YOU IN THIS SPORT.

>> RACE DIRECTOR JIM BURRELL SAYS THIS IS AN INVITATION ONLY EVENT.

>> WE WORK WITH TEAMS AROUND THE WORLD SHARING WHAT MARYLAND HAS TO OFFER AND WHAT THE RACE HAS TO OFFER, AND THE AMENITIES FROM HOTELS TO GROUND TRANSPORTATION.

JUST EVERYTHING THAT WE DO TO SUPPORT ALL OF OUR ATHLETES.

>> AND MAY SAYS THIS EVENT IS A GAME-CHANGER FOR WOMEN.

>> VISIBILITY LEADS TO SPONSORSHIPS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF RACERS.

THE FACT THAT INTERNATIONAL TEAMS FROM EUROPE TO AFRICA ARE COMING HERE TO COMPETE ON THE WORLD STAGE IS POWERFUL.

IT PROVES THIS RACE JUST ISN'T ABOUT GROWING LOCALLY IT'S HELPING EVOLVE THIS SPORT GLOBALLY.

>> THOSE WOMEN'S AND MEN'S RACES WILL START AT HARBOR POINT CENTRAL PLAZA AND END IN THE INNER HARBOR ON PRATT STREET.

THE WOMEN FOUR LAPS AND THE MEN SIX OF THE 18-MILE COURSE.

THE MANAGER IS JOANNE A FORMER PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST FROM NEW ZEALAND.

THEE IS CHARGED HANDLING ALL OF THE LOGISTICS AND THAT INCLUDES CHECKING OUT THE COURSE.

>> MY FAVORITE PATH OF THE COURSE IS THE FELLS POINT AREA WITH THE COBBLED STONES IT'S SPECIAL AND SOMETHING WE DON'T TYPICALLY GET IN THE UNITED STATES.

SO I THINK PUTTING THAT IN, REALLY ADDS AN INTERESTING ELEMENT AND IT'S EUROPEAN.

>> 15 WOMEN'S TEAMS WILL BE TAKING PART IN THIS YEAR'S RACE.

NINE FROM THE UNITED STATES, TWO FROM GERMANY, TWO FROM CANADA, ONE FROM MEXICO.

AND SHE SAYS THE CYCLISTS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HITTING THE STREETS OF BALTIMORE AND SEEING AND HEARING THE CROWDS ALONG THE WAY.

>> THEY REALLY HUFF TO PUT ON A SHOW AND LOVE TO HEAR THE CHEERING.

SO AND BEING ABLE TO RACE IN A CITY VERY TECHNICAL, A LOT OF CORNERS A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS.

THERE IS A LOT OF FEATURES IN THIS COURSE WHICH MAKES IT REALLY DIFFERENT AND DYNAMIC.

>> WHILE MAY WILL NOT BE AMONG THE CYCLISTS SHE IS HOPING TO BE A PART OF IT IN THE FUTURE.

>> COMPETING IN MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC IS ON MY LIST OF GOALS IN THE FUTURE.

I WOULD LOVE TO PARTICIPATE JUST BECAUSE IT'S LIKE IN MY BACKYARD.

SO COMING UP JUST TO BALTIMORE AND RACING AT SUCH A HIGH LEVEL WOULD BE AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY.

>> AND JOE CAN SAYS SHE EXPECTS THIS EVENT AND WOMEN'S RACING TO ONLY CONTINUE TO GROW.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF PLANS FOR FUTURE AS WELL.

AND HOPEFUL WE CAN BUILD MORASS IN THE U.S.A. AND ENTICE PEOPLE COMING FROM OVER IN EUROPE TO COME TO THE U.S.A. AND RACE SOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL EVENTS THAT WE HAVE.

>> IN BALTIMORE, I'M SUE COPPIN.

>> Jeff: MPT'S ALL DAY RACING COVERAGE BEGINS AT 8:00 A.M. ON SEPTEMBER 6 WITH THE MPT SPORTS DESK.

GO TO MPT.ORG/DONATE/MARYLAND CYCLING CLASSIC FOR ALL THE INFORMATION.

>>> STATE OFFICIALS ARE BRACING FOR MEDICAID CUTS FROM WASHINGTON A THIRD OF THE STATE BUDGET GOES TO MEDICAID WITH 64% OF THAT COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

MEDICAID PAYS FOR 42% OF BIRTHS IN MARYLAND AND 64% OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS.

HOW BIG A CHALLENGE WILL THIS BE FOR THE STATE?

[♪♪] OUR NEWSMAKER IS GERALD ANDERSON OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

Dr. ANDERSON THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TODAY.

>> Jeff: LET'S SPEND A FEW MINUTES ON THE COMPLEXITIES OF MEDICAID WHICH IS NOT MEDICARE.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR MEDICAID?

>> SO THERE IS A NUMBER OF WAYS THAT YOU QUALIFY.

IF YOU ARE UNDER 65 THAT IS BASICALLY YOUR INCOME.

AND SO CHILDREN IT'S ABOUT 250% OF POVERTY LEVEL.

FOR ADULTS THAT DON'T HAVE CHILDREN IT'S 133 OF THE FEDERAL POWERFUL FER POVERTY LEVEL.

IN MARYLAND THERE'S 1.5 MILLION MARYLANDERS THAT ARE ON MEDICAID TODAY.

THE OTHER WAY YOU QUALIFY AND THESE ARE THE MORE EXPENSIVE PEOPLE THAT NEED NURSING HOME CARE OR HOME HEALTHCARE.

THEY ARE A SMALLER PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION, BUT A MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION.

THEY COST ABOUT 65,000 A YEAR.

>> Jeff: OUTSIDE OF NURSING HOMES, HOW IS CARE PROVIDED?

IS IT STANDARD GO TO WHATEVER DOCTOR YOU WANT?

OR IS THERE A MANAGED CARE, HMO COMPONENT?

>> FOR THE UNDER 65 POPULATION, MOST OF THE PEOPLE ARE IN A MANAGED CARE PLAN.

BUT IF YOU ARE TERRIBLY SICK, YOU WILL PROBABLY NOT BE IN A MANAGED CARE PLAN IT WILL BE A FEE FOR SERVICE GO TO ANY DOCTOR THAT WILL TAKE YOU ANY HOSPITAL THAT WILL TAKE YOU.

FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN NURSING HOMES, THEY ARE PAYING THE NURSING HOME DIRECTLY.

>> Jeff: WHAT CHANGED UNDER OBAMACARE?

THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT?

>> THERE WERE A NUMBER OF EXTRA PEOPLE THAT GOT IN TO THE LIST.

THE STATE IN MARYLAND ALONG WITH 40 OTHER STATES DECIDED TO EXPAND COVERAGE TO MORE PEOPLE.

AND THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE 133% OR LESS OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE.

SOMEBODY WHO IS A SINGLE PERSON, THAT IS 21,000 DOLLARS.

IF YOU ARE A SINGLE PERSON AND MAKE LESS THAN $25,000, YOU NOW QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID.

>> Jeff: AND THE FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT, THE FEDERAL SHARE OF THE COST OF THIS, IS DIFFERENT FOR THE PEOPLE IN THAT NEWER GROUP?

>> YES.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 90% OF THE COST OVERALL.

IT IS A MUCH LOWER PERCENTAGE 64% FOR EVERYBODY ELSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAYS.

>> Jeff: AND MEDICAID CHANGED AS WELL DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT CHANGED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS?

>> WHAT'S CHANGING IS THE FACT THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE ENROLLING.

SO WE'RE EXPANDING MEDICAID COVERAGE TO MORE AND MORE PEOPLE OVER TIME.

SO AS I SAID, ABOUT 1.5 MILLION ENROLLEES BEFORE THE PANDEMIC CLOSER TO ONE MILLION ENROLLEES.

>> Jeff: THAT IS A BIG JUMP.

WHAT IS GOING TO CHANGE UNDER THE NEW TRUMP RECONCILIATION BILL?

>> THE FIRST THING TO RECOGNIZE IT WON'T HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY.

IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN UNTIL AFTER THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN MANY CASES OR ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THE PEOPLE LISTENING TODAY SHOULD NOT BE CONCERNED THAT THEY ARE GOING TO LOSE IT TOMORROW.

IT WAS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO DO THIS, TO GIVE THE STATES OPPORTUNITIES TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THINGS.

BUT THE MAIN GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTED ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING, BUT ARE NOT -- HAVE TO VERIFY THAT THEY ARE WORKING.

IT IS A REQUIREMENT THAT YOU HAVE TO WORK 80 HOURS A MONTH.

OR VOLUNTEER OR DO SOMETHING THAT'S QUALIFIES FOR YOU.

IN THE PAST, THAT WASN'T AN EXPLICIT REQUIREMENT.

NOW IT'S AN EXPLICIT REQUIREMENT THAT YOU ACTUALLY ARE DOING SOME KIND OF WORK OR VOLUNTEER WORK.

>> Jeff: NOW, MEANS NOT TODAY BUT AFTER THE NEXT ELECTION.

SOME OF THIS KICKS IN AFTER THE COMING MIDTERM ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.

>> CORRECT.

THE WORK REQUIREMENT IS IN JANUARY, 2027.

IT STARTS.

AND THEN SOME OF THE OTHER STUFF IN THE BIG SAVINGS DON'T REALLY START UNTIL 28.

>> Jeff: IF PEOPLE GET KICKED OFF OF THIS, WOULDN'T THEY JUST GO TO AN OBAMACARE PLAN AND FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES THAT WELL SUBSIDIZED THOUGH THAT IS CHANGING AS WELL?

>> THERE'S LESS SUBSIDIES NOW THAN THERE WERE BEFORE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE MAKING $25,000 A YEAR, YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF NEEDS, HEALTHCARE IS CLEARLY ONE OF THEM.

BUT IF THE OBAMACARE SYSTEM COSTS YOU A THOUSAND DOLLARS, THAT IS A THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE.

SO WITH THE EXPECTATION IS THAT WHEN 12 MILLION PEOPLE WILL LOSE THEIR COVERAGE NATIONALLY, A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOSE MEDICAID COVERAGE AND CANNOT AFFORD PRIVATE INSURANCE EVEN WITH THE LARGE SUBSIDIES IN THE ACA, THEY STILL DON'T HAVE THAT THOUSAND DOLLARS TO PAY FOR IT.

>> Jeff: SO THE EXPECTATION IS PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOSE THEIR MEDICAID COVERAGE, NOT BECAUSE THE THRESHOLDINGS YOU TALKED ABOUT WITH SOME PERCENTAGE OF THE POVERTY INCOME LEVEL, THAT'S NOT CHANGING, BUT THERE WILL BE BASICALLY MORE HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH?

>> YOU WILL -- EVERY MONTH YOU WILL HAVE TO FILL OUT A FORM THAT SAYS I'VE WORKED 80 HOURS OR I DID VOLUNTEER WORK 80 HOURS.

AND WE'VE TRIED THAT WE TRIED THAT IN GEORGIA.

AND WE DIDN'T SAVE ANY MONEY BUT IT COSTS MONEY, BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAS TO PROCESS EVERY MONTH THE INFORMATION AND HAS TO CHECK THAT YOU, IN FACT, WERE WORKING OR WERE VOLUNTEERING.

AND THAT IS A LOT OF BUREAUCRACY TIME SPENT.

AND SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY FOR THAT.

SO THE STATE IS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR AN ADDITIONAL BUREAUCRACY.

>> Jeff: THE STATE FUNCTION IN MEDICAID PLANS IS, I GUESS, DIFFERENT FROM MEDICARE, WHICH IS MOSTLY SENIOR CITIZENS.

THERE WAS A PIECE IN THE LAST WEEK OR TWO FROM PEW RESEARCH THAT LISTED ALL THE STATES COMPARED THE MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR SPENDING ON MEDICAID, TO THE PREVIOUS TREND OVER A DECADE OR MORE.

AND I BRING IT UP BECAUSE MARYLAND WAS NEAR THE TOP OF THAT LIST.

RIGHT BEHIND CONNECTICUT, I THINK, IN TERMS OF STATES THAT HAVE EXPANDED MEDICAID.

IS THAT A TREND YOU'VE SEEN?

>> WE'VE SEEN THAT IN MARYLAND AND WE SEE THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

BECAUSE IF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE JOBS, IF PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY HEALTH INSURANCE THEY STILL NEED CARE, THEY GO TO HOSPITALS, THEY GO TO PHYSICIANS, AND THEY RACK UP HIGH EXPENDITURES AND SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY FOR THAT.

AND WHAT HAS TRADITIONALLY HAS BEEN PRIVATE INSURANCE PAYS TWO-AND-A-HALF TIMES MORE THAN MEDICARE DOES AND THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE PICKING UP THE COST OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.

AND THAT'S NOT TRUE IN MARYLAND, BECAUSE OF THE RATES THAT EXIST THAT WE HAVE IN MARYLAND.

BUT IN EVERY OTHER STATE, THE GROUP THAT IS GOING TO GET HIT THE MOST ARE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE PRIVATE INSURANCE, BECAUSE THE HOSPITALS, THE PHYSICIANS HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE AND THEY WILL HAVE TO GET SOMEBODY TO PAY FOR THE STUFF THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNINSURED ARE NOT PAYING.

>> Jeff: NOW, WHAT IS THIS THING ABOUT A PROVIDER TAX?

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN MARYLAND PAYS 64% OF THE COST.

SO IF YOU TAX HOSPITALS IN MARYLAND OR ANY OTHER STATE, AND THE HOSPITALS DONATE MONEY TO THE MEDICAID PROGRAM AND THEN THE STATE GETS 64% OF THAT BACK.

SO THEY ACTUALLY EARN A PROFIT THROUGH A TAX ON PROVIDERS.

AND THE PROVIDERS GET THE MONEY BACK AS WELL.

SO THE PROVIDERS REALLY DON'T PAY ANYTHING AND IT IS A WAY TO GET MORE MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND SO THEY PUT A LIMIT ON HOW MUCH IT WILL BE, BUT IT'S STILL A HUGE NUMBER OF DOLLARS TRYING TO KEEP THE HOSPITALS AFLOAT.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO Dr. ANDERSON AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

[♪♪]