Healthcare

Wade opposes the federal takeover of the healthcare system and is working to protect Maryland from unconstitutional federal mandates.  At the same time, Wade continues to fight to keep doctors in Maryland by fostering a competitive atmosphere in which to practice.

Following passage of the Healthcare “Reform” act in Washington, the states now face unprecedented mandates including requiring all citizens to purchase health insurance. In the face of this breathtaking attempt to impose a national healthcare system on the American people, over a dozen state Attorneys General have already filed suit challenging the constitutionality of the mandate.

Indeed, never before has Congress required the American people to buy anything.  If this measure were declared constitutional, would it not also be possible to require every citizen to purchase a firearm in the interest of public safety or a pint of blueberries to promote greater health?

It is unlikely that Maryland’s Attorney General will defend the state against this unconstitutional mandate, so citizens of Maryland need to act through their representatives in order to retain the autonomy and level of healthcare we currently enjoy.  Wade signed on to legislation—similar to efforts in neighboring Virginia—that would safeguard Marylanders from this burdensome imposition.

As a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee, Wade worked directly on several measures that aim to offer affordable and accessible healthcare to Maryland residents.  With no limits on the frequency with which insurance companies could raise rates in a given year, Wade spearheaded a successful effort to limit premium increases to once annually.  This legislation dovetails with the existing requirement that insurance companies gain approval from the Insurance Commissioner for rate hikes.  Consumers deserve fair notice and regularity in their annual healthcare spending.  Even the insurance industry agreed that its customers should expect this level of consistency.

ELIMINATING THE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER SHORTAGE
The critical shortage of primary care providers has hit rural areas of our state particularly hard. Wade joined in a successful effort to eliminate the archaic collaborative agreement between physicians and Nurse Practitioners.  While acknowledging the appropriate roles of doctors and nurses in our health system, Nurse Practitioners have proven capable of providing excellent care and should not be discouraged from practice in the state.