Tomorrow's editorials: Meyerhoff to help the middle class, and Maryland's Medicaid expansion
Here are previews of some editorials we're working on. Let us know what you think. The best comments will run alongside the editorials in the print edition.
--The Meyerhoff Foundation has announced plans to shift its emphasis to activities to help Baltimore’s middle class. The foundation wants to encourage more such families to move to the city and stay here. That’s a laudable goal, and one that could go a long way toward reversing many of Baltimore’s longstanding ills.
But the ideas the foundation has come up with so far – increasing the availability of computers in libraries and sprucing up parks, for example – won’t address the core reasons why the middle class has for generations fled to the suburbs. If the foundation were to focus on one thing that would make city living more attractive to families who have a choice of where to live, it would be to improve the schools. There’s significant momentum for education reform under schools CEO Andres Alonso, and the foundation should focus its efforts on helping sponsor innovative new programs there.
--It’s been a year since Maryland expanded its eligibility for Medicaid, the government health insurance program for the poor, and the state has signed up 40,000 people – far more than advocates expected. The progress is a sign of how great a need there is for such an expansion of health coverage and a promising development for Marylanders in the long run – providing the poor with access to routine heath care will prevent the need for more costly treatment later, the costs of which are borne by all those who already have insurance.
The second phase of this planned expansion, one that would cover adults without minor children, has been stalled because of the state’s budget crunch. When the recession eases, Maryland needs to find a way to fund that next step, which will almost surely be necessary no matter what the federal government does this summer to reform health care.
Comments
Middle class move into the city? Andy what are you smoking? As soon as I can afford it I am out of here.
Crime, grime, corrupt leaders, drug dealers in the alley, police cars up the street helicopters overhead, unsafe public transportation, terrible schools, very high property taxes, the list goes on and on. Who intheir right mind would move to Bodymore?
Posted by: jay | June 30, 2009 2:59 PM
I think Jay has a very good point.
If the Meyerhoffs want to focus on the middle class, which is probably the best place that philanthropy or government program money can be spent, I'd suggest the older suburbs where the parents and grandparents of these people once lived.
The schools and libraries and commercial districts on both sides of our artificial city/county border are dying for a holistic rejuvenation.
Most of the housing stock and other infrastructure still justifies investment in rehabilitation.
But to spend a penny on projects further in? About the only idea that approaches good business sense or genuine viability that I've heard of recently is the plan to bulldoze and plow over much of the oldest and most decrepit neighborhoods.
Some of these can be reconstituted and will appeal to the decently earning and actual tax paying. It could be... it would be... wonderful.
Dream on.
Posted by: MrRational | June 30, 2009 3:36 PM
I am a middle class person. I come to Baltimore from the suburbs frequently. I love Baltimore's drama, music and poetry scenes. The city throbs with culture. I immerse myself in its museums; theaters and ethnic restaurants; I absorb and savor the best it has to offer. Then I go home. Some days I wish I could live close to these attractions; simply walk over and get my fill of the educational and entertaining things I want to do. I squash that fantasy pretty fast. For one thing I couldn't afford Baltimore. It is too expensive for middle class purses in terms of real estate and other taxes. For another I am put off by the blight; the empty and boarded row homes and the crime and poverty these homes signify. The Abell Foundation should address the blight in Baltimore. This immediate and obvious eyesore causes a visceral revulsion and fear in the middle class and keeps its many productive members living in the boring and aseptic suburbs.
City lover
Posted by: City lover | June 30, 2009 3:54 PM
Medicaid should be renamed denial of care. Doctors have to fight its bureaucracy tooth and nail for essential medications and diagnostic procedures. The time consuming process called prior authorization, an idiotic measure instituted to control cost, is actually out of control. Medicaid enrollees also have very poor dental coverage. Something is better than nothing is the maxim that drives the Medicaid engine but when that something begins to look more and more like nothing to enrolled patients the expansion of Medicaid is a no more than a cruel joke.
Inside the healthcare beltway
Posted by: Anonymous | June 30, 2009 4:33 PM
It is great that Governor O'Malley and the legislature have done so much to expand health care coverage and reduce what we all pay for uncompensated hospital costs. I like the idea of raising the alcohol tax by 10 cents a drink to provide more health care for people and reduce underage drinking.
Vinny
Posted by: Vinny | June 30, 2009 5:28 PM
Gee Vinny Governor OMALLEY SURE IS GREAT NOW ISN'T HE!
I hate to burst your bubble but OMalley only cares about getting reelected. Another tax will not not pass until after th e lections. Then look out. OMalley intolerable spending will force another tax hike.
Another broken promise Vinny fixing the structural defecit. Your heroes handling of slot certainly has helped too!
Should I get you a tissue Vinnie?
Posted by: jay | July 1, 2009 10:07 AM