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".

JUST AHEAD ON OUR PROGRAM THIS WEEK, MARYLANDERS FACING LONG WAITS IN HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS, WE WILL FIND OUT WHY.

>>> AND WELL INTO HER SECOND CENTURY, CHARLES ROBINSON TAKES US TO A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

>>> FIRST THIS WEEK THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN AND TWO MARYLAND TOWNS ARE GETTING ANY MAYORS.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH RANDY TAYLOR THE MAYOR-ELECT OF SALLY JENKINS AND KEITH THE MAYOR KEITH SYDNOR THE MAYOR-ELECT OF LAUREL.

>> Mr. TAYLOR AND Mr. KEITH SYDNOR THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LET'S START WITH A LITTLE BIT OF AN INTRODUCTION.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHY YOU CHOSE TO RUN FOR MAYOR AND WE'LL START IN LAUREL WITH Mr. KEITH SYDNOR.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

CONGRATULATIONS TO TAYLOR AS WELL.

I'M KEITH SYDNOR.

I'VE BEEN A CITY COUNCIL FOR SIX YEARS THE CITY OF LAUREL.

MY BACKGROUND IS MILITARY.

I SPENT 12 YEARS ACTIVE-DUTY AND 12 YEARS UNITED STATES STATE RESERVES.

UPON MY RESERVE CAREER I WAS A DEPUTY SHERIFF AND A STATE CORRECTION OFFICER FOR THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.

I WAS A FEDERAL CORRECTION OFFICER AND I RETIRED AS A FEDERAL PRETRIAL SERVICE OFFICER FOR WASHINGTON D.C.

IN 2019.

AND I'M NOW CURRENTLY WORKING A PART-TIME JOB AS A SUBSTITUTE SCHOOLTEACHER.

I'M HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL AND HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL AND GET SOME OF THE THINGS UP BECAUSE THE MAYOR NOW AND I NEED MORE TIME.

I'VE BEEN ACTIVE IN POLITICS SINCE HIGH SCHOOL.

BEEN A UNION ORGANIZER.

ADVOCATING AND FOR RIGHTS AND EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL HUMAN BEINGS.

AND GETTING INVOLVED IN MY LOCAL LEVEL IS SOMETHING I'M INVOLVED NON-GET THINGS DONE IN THE CITY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND JOB ANDS AND REDUCING CRIME.

I FEEL IT'S TIME TO ELEVATE MY GAME.

THE CURRENT MAYOR WAS RETIRED AFTER 21 YEARS AND LEFT THE SEAT OPEN AND I SAID WHY NOT ME.

AND I STARTED CAMPAIGNING AND HERE WE ARE THE CITY OF LAUREL ELECTED ME THEIR MAYOR.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING THE CITIZENS OF LAUREL AND THANK YOU ALL FOR VOTING FOR ME.

>> Jeff: Mr. TAYLOR I DON'T THINK YOU CAN TOP THAT RESUME.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHAT MADE YOU RUN?

>> I WAS A COMMERCIAL BANKER FOR 2 KNIFE YEARS.

25 YEARS.

ABOUT 6 OR 7 YEARS AGO I STARTED A RESTORATION COMPANY I SELL OLDER HOUSES.

I'VE LIVED MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE IN THE CITY AND WHAT COMPELLED ME TO RUN FOR MAYOR WAS I JUST STARTED SEEING A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN SOME OF OUR DEALINGS IN SOME OF OUR DECISIONS.

AND SOME OF IT IS IMPACTING THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND THE DOWNTOWN.

SO I DECIDED WITH COUNSEL TO MAKE THE PLAY TO TRY AND RUN FOR MAYOR.

IT WAS A LONG RUN AND A HARD RACE AND THEY ELECTED ME.

I'M EXCITED TO SERVE.

>> Jeff: WHEN YOU RUN FOR OFFICE YOU'RE PRESENTING YOUR IDEAS TO VOTERS, BUT YOU ARE ALSO HEARING THEIR FEEDBACK.

WHAT DID YOU HEAR FROM THE CITIZENS OF SALISBURY ABOUT THEIR TOP CONCERNS AND WHAT DIRECTION YOU THINK THEY WANT YOU TO TAKE THE TOWN IN?

>> IT DIDN'T SURPRISE ME WAS MIRRORED SOME OF MY OWN EXPERIENCE IN TERMS OF TRANSPARENCY AND SOME OF THE DIRECTIONS WE WERE GOING IN RELATIVE TO DEVELOPMENT AND STREET MAINTENANCE AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF.

NOT THAT I DIDN'T GET A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, THAT WAS THE LEADING IT WAS A SHARED EXPERIENCE TRANSPARENTLY ISSUE RELATIVE TO THE LEGISLATION AND HOW ISSUES ARE BEING PRESENTED AND VOTED ON.

>> Jeff: WHAT DID YOU HEAR FROM VOTERS?

>> I THINK THE CONCERNS IS MAIN STREET.

MAIN STREET U.S.A. LIKE ANY SMALL CITY THEY WANT TO SEE IT DEVELOPED.

I BELIEVE WITH MY PLATFORM GIVING BUSINESS AN INCENTIVE TO COME INSIDE THE CITY AND THAT IS ONE OF THE FIRST THING WE ARE GOING TO DO.

WE WILL REVISIT THE PLAN AND GET 20,000 DOLLARS TO START NEW BUSINESS INSIDE THE CITY OF LAUREL AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.

WE MANDATE COMPOST IN 2025 AND WE BANNED PLASTIC BAGS IN OUR CITY.

THE ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARE THE BIGGEST CONCERNS OUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE HERE IN THE CITY OF LAUREL.

>> >> Jeff: I THINK I CAN PICTURE YOUR MAIN STREET, THE AREA NEAR THE MARK TRAIN STOP.

>> YES, SIR, EXACTLY, YES, SIR.

>> Jeff: TELL ME ABOUT THAT OVER THE YEARS WHAT ARE THE NEEDS?

>> THE NEEDS WE FEEL THAT SOME OF THE OVERSATURATED.

WE WANT TO REDUCE SOME OF THE BUSINESS AND GET THIS IS MY PLAN.

MY PLAN IS TO FIND OUT HOW MANY OF THE SAME BUSINESSES WE HAVE THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND LOOK FOR THE BUSINESSES WE HAVE A NEED.

AND ADVERTISE THOSE BUSINESSES AND GIVE THEM IS THIS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IT COMES A NEED FOR THE CITY WE WILL HAVE A COMMUNITY FORUM AND THE COMMITTEE WILL HAVE AN INPUT AND WE WILL GOING TO RECRUIT THE BUSINESSES AND BRING THEM IN.

THE MAIN STREET IS FRIENDLY WE HAVE HOUSING AND BUSINESS THERE, AND BANKS THERE.

GOT A POST OFFICE THERE.

WE GOT A LOT OF STUFF BUT WE WANT MAIN ATTRACTION AND PEOPLE WANT MORE RESTAURANTS AND MORE WALKABLE AND COME DOWN TO MAIN STREET AND CATCH A BUS AND ENJOY THE DAY.

WE WANT TO BRING ARTS COUNCIL AS WELL.

HAVE LIVE MUSIC AND PAINTING AS WELL TO GET PEOPLE TO COME TO MAIN STREET AND WALK THE MAIN STREET AND PATRONIZE THE BUSINESSES ON MAIN STREET.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED HOUSING AND ONE THING YOU HEAR FROM PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE IS THE COST OF HOUSING, WHETHER YOU ARE BUYING A PLACE OR RENTING A PLACE, IT'S GOTTEN REALLY EXPENSIVE.

WHAT'S THE SITUATION -- LET'S START IN SALISBURY WHAT IS THE SITUATION THERE?

I THINK THE EASTERN SHORE IS MAYBE A LOWER COST OF LIVING COMMUNITY IS THAT THE CASE?

>> WELL, IN TERMS OF WEALTH WE RUN THE GAMUT IN THE CITY OF SALISBURY 26% OF THE COMMUNITY LIVES BELOW THE POVERTY LINE WE HAVE A CHALLENGE THERE.

THE HOUSING COSTS ON NEW CONSTRUCTION HAS OUTSTRIPPED WAGES PARTICULARLY IN OUTLIER AREAS LIKE OURS.

SO WE HAVE TO BE CREATIVE.

IT'S CREATED BETTER ENVIRONMENT TO MOVE INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE YOU GET AN OLDER COST BASIS AND YOU CAN RENOVATE FOR LESS THAN YOU CAN BUILD NEW.

SMART GROWTH AND HIGHER LOT COSTS WITH HIGH CONSTRUCTION COSTS HAS MADE IT TOUGHER FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON WHICH HAS PUSHED THOSE FOLKS BACK INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

>> Jeff: I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING IN TERMS OF RESTORING OLDER UNITS.

WHAT IS THE MARKET LIKE FOR THAT?

>> WELL, WHAT I DO IS A GOOD MARKET BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE LOVE OLDER HOUSES.

BUT THEY LIKE THEM TO BE RESTORED AND DONE PROPERLY.

AND I HAVE A SHOP AND WE REPLICATE MOLDINGS AND REFINISH FLOORS SO WHEN WE TURN THEM OVER IT IS A RESTORED HOME THEY DON'T HAVE MUCH TO DO.

THAT MARKET IS SOLID MARKET.

PEOPLE LOVE IT.

>> Jeff: AND I THINK ABOUT THE TOWN OF LAUREL YOU'VE GOT IT'S LIKE FOUR CORNERS, RIGHT?

YOU'VE GOT FOUR COUNTIES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO YOU.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IT IS A HIGHLY POPULATED COMMUNITY.

IS THE AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING AN ISSUE?

>> YEAH, HOUSING IS A REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ISSUE.

IN THE CITY OF LAUREL WITH 100 UNITS HAVE TO TO HAVE PERCENTAGE FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND WE PASSED A COUNCIL LEGISLATION YOU BUILD ANY DEVELOPMENT HAVE 50 OR% MORE HOUSES A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WE BELIEVE THAT IS A REASONABLE APPROACH AND WE WORK WITH OUR MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION AND WE WORKING WITH THEM TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT RENT DOESN'T INCREASE THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTY.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE THE ONLY CITY TO HAVE A RENT CONTROL ISSUE.

WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER AND THAT WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

THEN WORK ON THE STATE LEVEL AS WELL.

ONCE AGAIN, HOUSING IS A NATIONAL ISSUE BUT IT IS A REGIONAL ISSUE AND WE'RE HERE IN THE METRO DC AREA AND PLENTY OF PEOPLE NEED SOMEWHERE TO LIVE.

WE CANNOT DISMISS HOUSING THOUGH WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR GREEN SPACE BUT WE WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE AND GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO LIVE IN OUR CITY AS WELL.

>> Jeff: HOW MUCH CAN A MAYOR INFLUENCE THINGS?

I'M THINKING ABOUT LIKE EDUCATION.

YOU KNOW THAT'S IN THE HANDS OF STATE OFFICIALS AND THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MAYBE PUBLIC SAFETY.

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON ISSUES THAT AFFECT PEOPLE EVERYDAY?

>> CURRENT MAYOR HE STARTED A COMMITTEE CALLED MEET WITH THE PRINCIPALS.

ALL THE SURROUNDING SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOL, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL WE MEET WITH THE MAYOR ONCE A MONTH.

AND THEY TALK ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS.

LIKE YOU SAY THE SCHOOL IS OUT OF THE JURISDICTION WE AT AT LOCAL LEFT THEY LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WHATEVER WE CAN HELP WITH TUTORING OR MENTORING PROGRAMS AND GIVING FUNDING TO TEACHERS FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES.

I WILL CONTINUE THAT ADMINISTRATION AS WELL.

AND ALSO HAVE A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVES.

DIRECT IMPACT WE ARE NOT ISOLATED FROM THAT AT ALL.

>> Jeff: Mr. TAYLOR?

>> SOME PARENTS REASON OUT TO ME RELATIVE TO THINGS GOING ON IN THE SCHOOL A LITTLE BIT OF AN OUTBREAK OF VIOLENT ACTIVITY.

AND WHAT WE WOULD LIKE ONE OF THE EXCHIEF OF POLICE WAS ON MY COMMITTEE AND I'M HOPING TO WORK WITH HER GOING FORWARD THE AT RISK AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS WHERE WE IDENTIFY THE KIDS IN THE SCHOOLS CITY RESIDENTS AND TRY TO WORKOUT EXISTING FACILITIES FOR THAT AND EXISTING AFTER SCHOOLS FOR THAT.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU ARE A HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL REFEREE.

I WONDER YOU KNOW WHEN YOU DECIDE SOMEBODY'S FOOT WAS ON THE LINE DO YOU EXPECT ANY BLOWBACK FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

>> WELL, I WILL NOT REFEREE THIS YEAR.

MAYBE I'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS NOW I WILL STOP THAT NOT REFEREE IN THE CITY OF LAUREL MAYBE OTHER SCHOOLS.

BUT NOT IN MY JURISDICTION I WANT TO KEEP IT SAFE.

>> Jeff: WELL, GENTLEMEN, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR VICTORIES AND YOUR NEW CAREERS AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME U.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DELAYS FOR TREATMENT IN MARYLAND HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS HAVE IMPROVED.

BUT REMAIN THE WORST IN THE NATION.

WE GOT SOME INSIGHTS ON THE PROBLEM FROM GENE RANSOM, C.E.O.

OF MEDCHI, THE MARYLAND STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY.

>> WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING TO DEAL WITH THIS.

IT'S NOT FAIR OR RIGHT FOR PATIENTS TO BE WAITING IN SOME CASES HALF A DAY, AND EVEN IN OTHER CASES A DAY OR MORE.

SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.

THE ROOT PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY NOT A HOSPITAL BY HOSPITAL PROBLEM IT'S REALLY A STEMMATIC PROBLEM WITH OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HERE IN MARYLAND.

WE HAVE INCREDIBLE SHORTAGES OF PHYSICIANS AND PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING INTO SEE PHYSICIANS.

THEY ARE GETTING SICKER AND SICKER AND ENDING UP IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

AND WE'VE GOT TO SOLVE THE LONG-TERM PROBLEM.

SO WE CAN SOLVE THE SHORT-TERM PROBLEM.

>> Jeff: NOW WE STILL HAVE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE BUT THE NUMBER OF THE UNINSURED HAS DECLINED.

OBAMACARE AND EFFORTS WITHIN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

SHOULDN'T THAT MEAN MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING PRIMARY CARE AND NOT WINDING UP IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND THE SECOND PART OF THE QUESTION IS WHEN WE LOOK AT OTHER STATES, DON'T THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE NUMBER OF DOCTORS AND NURSES AND SO FORTH?

>> SO, I THINK THOSE ARE TWO GOOD POINTS.

I WILL START WITH THE SECOND ONE FIRST.

OTHER STATES HAVE HAVING WORKFORCE ISSUES AS WELL.

THE DIFFERENCE IS WE ARE AT THE DEAD BOTTOM FOR PAYMENT.

STUDIES SHOW THAT PHYSICIANS AND PRACTITIONERS DO NOT MAKE AS MUCH MONEY, THEY DID A PRESENTATION SHOWING WE WERE JUST SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF DELAWARE AND ALABAMA.

THAT MAKES US 47TH.

WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN YOU HAVE A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE AND YOU DON'T PAY THE PRACTITIONERS WHO PROVIDE THE SERVICES LESS MONEY YOU DON'T HAVE THEM AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM HERE.

I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP INSURANCE.

BECAUSE YOU ARE RIGHT.

WE'VE DONE A GOOD JOB IN MARYLAND AND YOU GOT TO GIVE CREDIT TO THE LEADERS IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION THE LAST ADMINISTRATION AND THIS ADMINISTRATION TO FUND MEDICAID APPROPRIATELY AND TO ACTUALLY MAKE SURE THAT I THINK UNINSURED RATE IS 6% OR SO.

WHERE ARE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ON THIS?

WHY AREN'T THEY MAKING SURE THE NETWORKS ARE ADEQUATE?

WHY AREN'T THEY WORKING ON THE SHORTAGE PROBLEM AND THIS ISSUE?

WHY AREN'T THEY SAYING ANYTHING ABOUT THE ER SHORTAGE THEY ARE PAYING FOR IT AND HAVE THE CUSTOMERS THEY NEED TO PROVIDE A SERVICE.

I KNOW WHERE I LIVE, AT SOMETIMES THE PRIMARY CARE OFFICE IS THERE HAVE THREE AND FOUR MONTHS WAITS FOR A VISIT.

AND IF YOU CAN'T GET IN AND SEE YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR OR IF YOU ARE IN A SITUATION LIKE I HAPPEN TO BE IN RIGHT NOW AND MY DOCTOR ANNOUNCED HE IS RETIRING YOU NEED TO GET A NEW DOCTOR IT CAN BE COMPLICATED.

THE PROBLEM IS IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DOCTOR YOU WILL GET SICKER, YOU WILL HAVE MORE PROBLEMS AND THEN YOU WILL END UP IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

THE OTHER ISSUE WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH WE NEED AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD DO A NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND FIGURE OUT WHERE ARE THE GREATEST SHORTAGES AND WHERE DO WE NEED BEDS.

BECAUSE THE WAY OUR SYSTEM IS WE HAVE BEDS IN CERTAIN PLACES NOT OTHERS.

I DO THINK WE NEED TO DO THAT.

AND THE OTHER THING WE NEED TO DO IS HAVE A PLAN IF WE HAVE ANOTHER CRISIS.

I DON'T THINK OBVIOUSLY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER COVID LIKE CRISIS BUT IT'S POSSIBLE BUT WE COULD HAVE A MINE ANY CRISIS WHAT IF WE HAVE A FLU PANDEMIC WORSE THAN NORMAL?

WE'VE GOT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WOULD WE DO IF THAT HAPPENED AND PLAN FOR IT NOW.

AND I THINK IN SOME PARTS OF THE STATE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ER WAIT TIMES IT'S BORDERING ON CRISIS LEVELS.

>> Jeff: IS THERE ANYWAY THIS IS CONNECTED TO THE STATE'S EXPERIMENTAL SYSTEM FOR COMPENSATING HOSPITALS WHERE THEY ARE -- NOBODY UNDERSTANDS THIS, BUT THEY ARE BEING PAID A FLAT-RATE IN SOME SITUATIONS WHICH CREATES PERHAPS A FINANCIAL DISINCENTIVE TO CARE FOR MORE PEOPLE.

I MEAN ARE THE HOSPITALS MAYBE SUBCONSCIOUSLY NOT OPENING UP THE DOORS AS WIDELY AS THEY USED TO?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THE HOSPITALS IN MARYLAND EVERY HOSPITAL IS A NONPROFIT.

THEY TEND TO BE MISSION DRIVEN.

I DON'T BELIEVE THEY ARE PURPOSELY MAKING ER'S BACK UP BECAUSE THERE'S SOME INCENTIVE TO DO THAT.

IN FACT, THE WAY THAT THE MODEL WORKS THEY GET MEASURED ON ISSUES LIKE QUALITY MEASURES AND THEY ARE REALLY HANDLING THINGS ON A POPULATION HEALTH BASIS.

THERE ARE DISINCENTIVES IN THAT.

I DO THINK THE MODEL DOES CREATE INEFFICIENCIES AT TIMES WITH CHANGING BED CAPACITY LEVELS.

THE BED CAPACITY LEVELS IS A MUCH MORE REGULATED PROCESS WHEREAS IN A TRULY PRIVATE SECTOR TYPE MODEL THE MARKET WOULD ADJUST AND MORE BEDS WOULD OPEN UP AND MORE THINGS WOULD OCCUR.

WHEREAS IN THIS CASE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO TAKE ACTION.

SO THERE MIGHT BE SOME STICKINESS TO THE CORRECTION BUT I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS REALLY A HOSPITAL BY HOSPITAL PROBLEM.

I THINK THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT THE PAYMENTS TO THE PRACTITIONERS ARE SO LOW, PHYSICIANS AND OTHERS ARE MAKING CHOICES TO GO TO OTHER STATES.

WE'RE HAVING A GREATER PROBLEM WITH WORKFORCE THAN OTHER STATES ARE, WHILE EVERYBODY'S HAVING PROBLEMS OURS IS BIGGER BECAUSE THE PAYMENTS ARE SO BAD.

PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S HARD TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR.

THE PROBLEMS GET WORSE AND YOU END UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

>> Jeff: NOW, I MEAN ONE THING PEOPLE CAN DO IS DECIDE WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE TO GO A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AS OPPOSED TO AN URGENT CARE.

DO YOU THINK THAT COULD BE BETTER COMMUNICATED SOMEHOW?

>> I DO THINK THERE IS A PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY PIECE OF THIS.

WHERE IF YOU'RE SICK WITH A COLD OR SOMETHING, YOU SHOULD GO TO AN URGENT CARE OR TRY TO GO YOUR TO DOCTOR.

AND I DO THINK OBVIOUSLY THE HOSPITAL IS FOR MORE ACUTE AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

ONE OF THE OTHER ISSUES WITH REGARDS TO THE WAIT TIME THE HOSPITALS ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN TO TRIAGE THE PATIENTS AS THEY COME IN.

IF YOU TALK TO ANY EMERGENCY ROOM THEY ARE SAYING THIS PERSON HAS A SEVERED LIMB OR SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY AND THAT GETS PUSHED% AHEAD OTHER FOLKS THAT WAIT LONGER.

THAT IS OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THE ISSUES.

BUT IT COMES DOWN TO WHERE IS THE CAPACITY THAT WE HAVE, IS IT IN THE RIGHT PLACES?

ARE WE MANAGING IT APPROPRIATELY?

AND IT IS ABOUT GETTING THE RIGHT CARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

IF WE DON'T HAVE APPROPRIATE CARE BEFORE YOU NEED TO BE IN A HOSPITAL, IT'S GOING TO CAUSE PROBLEMS AT THE HOSPITAL LEVEL.

BECAUSE YOUR CONDITION WILL TURN INTO AN EMERGECY OR I THINK THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCESS THEIR PHYSICIAN THE URGENT CARE IS CLOSED AND THEY ARE SICK AND THEY DECIDE TO GO TO EMERGENCY ROOM.

ALL OF THESE ARE FACTORS IN MAKING THE SITUATION WORSE.

>> Jeff: YOU BROUGHT UP THE PANDEMIC BEFORE.

HOW HAS IT CHANGED THE MEDICAL THE PANDEMIC SEEMS TO BE RECEIVING KNOCK ON WOOD, IS THERE A LASTING CHANGE IN THE PROFESSION?

>> I THINK THE PANDEMIC SPED UP RETIREMENTS.

I THINK A LOT OF PHYSICIANS WHO WOULD HAVE HUNG ON FOR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS OR MORE DECIDED I'VE HAD ENOUGH.

I DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT ANYMORE.

THERE WAS BURN-OUT AND STRESS AND OTHER ISSUES T PUT ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON A LOT OF PRACTICES.

PARTICULARLY PEDIATRIC PRACTICES.

BECAUSE OF THE WAY A LOT OF THE MONEY FLOWED.

SO I THINK THERE WERE A LOT OF CHANGES THAT THE WERE MAYBE STARTING TO OCCUR THAT HAVE GOT EXPEEDIATED THROUGH THE PROCESS AND HASN'T BEEN GOOD.

I ALSO THINK THAT IT'S JUST PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE THE CONDITIONS THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES THAT WE HAVE GENERALLY PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON HEALTHCARE.

BECAUSE IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT BEING A MEDICAL ASSISTANT YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP TO WORK EVERYDAY AS OPPOSED WHERE YOU CAN WORK REMOTELY THE CHOICES MAKE SENSE THAT YOU WOULD GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM GENERALLY SYSTEMICALLY BASED ON ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS THAT ARE YOUR OCCURRING NATURALLY.

>> Jeff: WHEN THE LEGISLATURE COMES BACK IN JANUARY, WHAT ARE GOING TO BE THE TOP ISSUES FOR MEDCHI?

>> FOR MEDCHI, THE TOP THINGS IS MAKING SURE THAT MEDICAID IS FUNDED APPROPRIATELY SO MORE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO CARE THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US.

WE WANT TO SEE LOAN REPAYMENT.

LOAN REPAYMENT CAN HELP WITH THE PROBLEM.

IF LOAN REPAYMENT IS FUNDED PROPERLY WE CAN GET MORE PHYSICIANS IN UNDERSERVED IN RURAL AREAS LIKE PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY WHICH IS SHORT ON PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS.

THAT IS A BIG FUNDING ISSUE.

AND THEN I THINK WE'D LIKE TO FIX THE INSURANCE PROBLEMS LIKE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION WHICH IS A BURDEN WHERE YOU NEED TO GET A PROCEDURE DONE OR AN IMAGE DONE AND THE DOCTOR IS REQUIRED TO CALL 80 PEOPLE AND WAIT ON-LINE TO TALK TO SOMEBODY IN THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

AND THAT IS TIME THAT COULD BE USED TO SEE PATIENTS AND COULD HELP WITH THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE ISSUE.

WE DID A STUDY THE AMA DID A STUDY WE WERE PART OF IT THAT SHOWED THE DOCTORS ARE SPENDING DAYS EVERY MONTH TRYING TO GET PRIOR AUTHORIZATION APPROVALS.

THAT TIME CAN BE USED SEEING PATIENTS IF WE CAN DO THINGS THAT MAKE THE PROCESS WORK BETTER, WE CAN SOLVE ACCESS ISSUES.

>> Jeff: THANKS TO Mr.

RANSOM, THE STATE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION PROVIDED A STATEMENT SAYING THAT ADDRESSING HOSPITAL THREW PUT IS A COMPLEX AND MULTIFACETED CHALLENGE THAT REQUIRES A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM WIDE APPROACH DUE TO SEVERAL FACTORS.

HISTORIC HOSPITAL WORKFORCE SHORTAGES, LIMITED ACCESS TO PRIMARY AND INTERNAL CARE, LACK OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES IN THE STATE, AND LACK OF APPROPRIATE POST HOSPITAL CARE ENVIRONMENTS FOR GERIATRIC PATIENTS.

>> NOW, A MAJOR MILESTONE BIRTHDAY FOR A MONTGOMERY COUNTY RESIDENT CHARLES ROBINSON HAS OUR STORY.

[*] *HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR [INAUDIBLE] HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU* >> IF YOU NEED A ACCEPTS OF HUMOR, IF YOU NEED STYLE, IF YOU NEED WISDOM, IF YOU JUST NEED JOY IN YOUR LIFE, JUST TALK TO MS. CATHERINE.

>> THE A100 SOME YEARS OLD CATHERINE GAINS HAS SEEN IT ALL.

SHE IS MY MOTHER BUT NOT I TREAT HER AS A TREASURE THAT SHE IS.

>> WHEN SHE HIT THE MILESTONE OF 100, PEOPLE WERE SURPRISED.

>> SHE HAS SHOWN ME WHAT EDUCATION DOES, WHAT HARD WORK DOES, AND WHAT PERSEVERANCE AND CERTAINLY WHAT LOVE OF GOD BRINGS TO YOU.

>> ASK HER ABOUT HER SECRET TO LONGEVITY AND YOU HAVE TO BE READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED.

>> APPRECIATE YOUR LIFE.

A LOT OF THINGS.

AND IF I TELL YOU MY SECRET, EVERYBODY KNOWS.

>> SO WHEN YOU TURN 107, GUESS WHAT?

IT IS A LOT ABOUT FAMILY AND THE MEMORIES THEY HAVE OF YOU.

>> IS LIVING HISTORY CERTAIN THINGS YOU CAN'T PUT IT'S AN APPRECIATION.

WE WILL DO ANYTHING FOR HER.

LIKE I LIVE IN ATLANTA.

MY FATHER HE LIVES IN DALLAS, TEXAS.

AND WE TRY TO GET HER TO MOVE, BUT THAT'S HOME.

AND YOU KNOW SHE HAS BEEN THERE 100 YEARS.

>> ONE OF HER SECRETS IS SUMMED UP IN HER YEARS OF VOLUNTEERING AT THE CHILDREN'S HOME IN WASHINGTON D.C. >> I WAS INVOLVED WITH CHILDREN'S HOME.

AND I ADORED IT.

I WENT THERE BECAUSE I HAD A NIECE AND NEPHEW WHO HAD BEEN PATIENTS THERE.

SO AS WARDS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND I DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING AND I WENT THERE ONLY TO STAY A SHORT TIME I DIDN'T STAY LONG.

>> SHE HAS MADE HER MARK AND SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN.

IN SILVER SPRING I'M CHARLES ROBINSON FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WITH OUR COMMUNITIES INCREASINGLY DIVIDED IN MANY WAYS, LOCAL ARTISTS ARE TAKING A UNIQUE APPROACH TO CREATING BRIDGES THROUGH ART.

>> NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO HAVE THESE HEALING TRANSFORMATIVE CONVERSATIONS.

>> THE EXHIBIT SHOWCASES THE WORK OF SIX DIFFERENT ARTISTS AND SIX DIFFERENT POETS, CREATING A VISUAL AND LITERARY EXPERIENCE THAT BRINGS TOGETHER THE VOICES OF BOTH THE BLACK AND JEWISH COMMUNITIES IN BALTIMORE.

CURATOR PRIOR AND ACTOR AND WRITER COLLABORATED WITH THE POET MAMA TO CREATE THE HEALING BRIDGES ACROSS THE DIVIDE BALTIMORE EXHIBIT.

HERE IN BALTIMORE THERE IS A GREAT DIVISION THAT STILL EXISTS TODAY.

SO MY THING IS WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER BECAUSE THERE IS A HISTORY HERE OF SHARED COMMONALITY SHARED UNITY.

AND YOU CAN'T GROW COMMUNITY AND YOU CAN'T GROW A BETTER WORLD UNTIL WE ALL CAN COME TOGETHER SOMEHOW.

>> ALL ARTISTS AND POETS ARE LOCAL TO BALTIMORE AND RANGE FROM AGES 17-70 WITH VARIOUS BACKGROUNDS.

THE IDEA BEHIND THIS COLLABORATION IS TO START A CONVERSATION BETWEEN THOSE WHO HAVE LIVED THROUGH DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES IN BALTIMORE.

BUT HOW DOES ART HELP TO HEAL DIVIDES?

>> IT HAS FOR CENTURIES.

IT GIVES PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK INTO A PIECE OF WORK WHETHER IT'S VISUAL, OR LITERARY, AND TO LEAN INTO A HUMAN EXPERIENCE OTHER THAN THEIRS.

AND TO FIND SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN RELATE TO.

I DON'T THINK ANY OTHER DISCIPLINE OR PRACTICE ON THE PLANET DOES THAT.

>> Jeff: THIS LITERARY ART EXHIBIT IS ON DISPLAY AT THE JCC CENTER FOR ART AND CULTURE UNTIL DECEMBER 11TH.

OPEN MONDAYS FROM 4-8:00 P.M. >> MY HOPE FOR THE EXHIBIT FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS HEALING BRIDGES ACROSS THE DIVIDE BALTIMORE IS TO TAKE IT TO OTHER PLACES SO IT CAN BECOME HEALING BRIDGES IN WASHINGTON D.C., HEALING BRIDGES CHICAGO, LOS ANGELES.

AND THAT WE CAN CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION AND ESPECIALLY INTO TODAY'S DAY AND AGE WE REALLY NEED TO BE BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN COMMUNITIES IF WE WANT TO HAVE SUSTAINABLE LIFE.

>> WE NEED ART TO HELP US TO ANCHOR INTO THIS HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND TO LEARN FROM IT AND TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.

>> Jeff: REMEMBER YOU CAN SEE VIDEOS OF OUR PROGRAMS ON-LINE ATE VIDEO.MPT.TV.

AND YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT MPT NEWS.

WE'RE BACK MONDAY WITH "DIRECT CONNECTION".

YOUR CHANCE TO ASK THE EXPERTS.

THAT IS MONDAY EVENING LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. NOW FOR ALL OF US AT MPT, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY.