COVID missteps should disqualify him from Senate
As a lifelong Maryland resident and a community leader deeply involved in our state’s public health efforts, I’ve always taken pride in our state’s resilience and community spirit. However, the ongoing effects of former Gov. Larry Hogan’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic have left me disillusioned. Despite the national narrative that paints Hogan as a steady hand during the crisis, the reality for those who lived through his administration’s response is starkly different. As he now runs for Maryland’s U.S. Senate seat, it’s crucial to remember why we can’t afford to have him represent us.
Hogan’s mismanagement of the pandemic is evident in several critical missteps that continue to impact Marylanders. First and foremost, our state was infamously the slowest in the nation to distribute vaccines. According to a Bloomberg analysis, Maryland lagged behind all other states in getting life-saving vaccines into the arms of its residents. This delay was not just a logistical failure but a critical mismanagement that endangered lives and prolonged the suffering of countless families.
I witnessed these failures firsthand. As a retired veterinary staff scientist for the National Institutes of Health with experience in infectious diseases research, I was called to serve on the Frederick County Health Department’s COVID-19 Testing Task Force. Our job was to make sure tests were distributed equally in all communities. At the time, most tests were going to white communities, leaving marginalized areas underserved. This inequity was not just a local issue; it reflected a broader failure of leadership at the state level.
When I joined the task force, I insisted that we prioritize the west side of Frederick, a predominantly minority area that had been overlooked. Thanks to the efforts of our health care officer, we set up a satellite facility for mobile testing in these communities. We also included rural white populations, who were similarly neglected. Our group worked tirelessly to ensure testing was accessible to everyone, not just the privileged few. These initiatives were born out of necessity because Hogan’s administration had a reputation for not reaching out to marginalized communities.
The scandal surrounding Hogan’s purchase of COVID-19 tests from South Korea further underscores his flawed leadership. Hogan touted the acquisition of 500,000 test kits as a “game-changing” move. However, these tests were flawed and never used, wasting $9.46 million of state funds. Instead of admitting the mistake, Hogan’s administration stonewalled inquiries and offered conflicting explanations. His lack of transparency and accountability is not what Marylanders needed during a public health crisis.
To make matters worse, the state’s health department took more than a month to notify patients who could have received spoiled vaccines. This negligence further erodes trust in our state’s health care response and puts Marylanders at risk.
As our country continues to deal with COVID-19, the importance of competent and transparent leadership cannot be overstated. The Hogan administration’s failures during the pandemic remind us that he is not the leader we need. His mismanagement of vaccine distribution, flawed testing procurements and lack of transparency during one of the most significant public health crises in history are reasons enough to question his candidacy.
Marylanders must remember Hogan’s record with the election less than three weeks away. We cannot afford to have him in the Senate, where he would likely continue to prioritize political self-interest over working families’ needs.
William Reid is a retired veterinary staff scientist for the National Institutes of Health and served on the Frederick County Health Department’s COVID-19 Testing Task Force. He is chair of the advocacy group Frederick County Progressives.
A Vote for Hogan is a Vote Against Healthcare
Shayne Dizard | October 21, 2024
https://www.progressivemaryland.org/a_vote_for_hogan_is_a_vote_against_healthcare
In Maryland, we stand at a critical crossroads. The upcoming US Senate race could determine the trajectory of our state's—and our nation's—future. Larry Hogan, who has consistently undermined the rights and well-being of working-class Marylanders, now seeks a seat in the Senate. His record is a clear warning of the dangers his leadership would pose, particularly to healthcare and reproductive rights.
Healthcare is a fundamental right, yet it remains under constant threat from corporate agendas. Larry Hogan’s track record shows a disturbing disregard for the healthcare needs of Marylanders. During his tenure as governor, Hogan vetoed crucial legislation that would have expanded and protected healthcare access. Notably, he blocked funding for the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, a vital initiative aimed at controlling skyrocketing drug prices. This veto directly jeopardized the health of countless Marylanders who rely on affordable medication.
As someone who has dedicated much of my career to healthcare, I saw firsthand the consequences of such decisions.I am a retired Montgomery County Community Health Nurse where I worked with young children with special needs. For 25 years, I conducted home visits and witnessed the needs of families from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds. I saw parents struggling to get medications and treatments for their children. Many of these families, regardless of their income, faced a system that often didn't provide the care their child needed. I would help them apply to pharmaceutical companies for reduced-rate drugs or other non-profits to provide funds for what was needed. Part of my job became guiding families through a confusing maze of approvals and denials that made it clear how much we need stronger protections and access to affordable care.
Hogan's veto of the Time to Care Act struck a particularly painful chord for me. The act would have allowed employees to take 12 weeks of partially paid leave to care for themselves or a loved one after a serious illness, or up to 24 weeks for new parents. I saw first hand that parents had to choose between losing pay or losing their job if they stayed home with their newborn or their sick child. The Time to Care Act was an opportunity to change that dynamic and give families the time they need to recover from illness without the fear of losing their income. Although Hogan vetoed it, placing a higher priority on corporate interests than on the health and well-being of Maryland families, legislators thankfully overrode his veto
Hogan's stance on reproductive rights is equally alarming. His veto of a law designed to increase the number of trained abortion providers was a direct attack on women's health and autonomy. This legislation was particularly crucial as it aimed to expand services in the two-thirds of Maryland counties without a single provider. Hogan’s veto came at a critical moment when the Supreme Court was poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, signaling a nationwide rollback of reproductive freedoms.
Even after the Maryland General Assembly overrode his veto, Hogan continued to obstruct progress by denying immediate release of funds needed to train new providers. This delay not only hindered access to safe and quality care but also placed undue burdens on women, especially those from neighboring states like West Virginia, seeking services in Maryland.
In addition to the urgent need to protect healthcare, Maryland voters also have the opportunity to safeguard reproductive rights by voting YES on Question 1 in the upcoming election. This ballot measure will enshrine the fundamental right to make personal reproductive decisions, including the right to choose an abortion, into the Maryland Constitution. This protection ensures that, no matter the political climate, Marylanders’ reproductive freedoms will remain intact for generations to come. A vote for Hogan could jeopardize these rights, but by voting YES on Question 1, we can secure reproductive healthcare access for all.
A victory for Larry Hogan would not just signify a shift in Maryland’s representation; it could also pave the way for a Republican-dominated Senate. Such a shift threatens to dismantle years of progressive achievements, from healthcare reforms to reproductive rights protections. The consequences of a Republican majority in the Senate would be far-reaching, affecting every aspect of our lives—from environmental policies to civil rights.
As a healthcare professional and a Marylander, I know how much is at stake in this election. We need a senator who will fight for our healthcare, protect our reproductive rights, and uphold the progressive values that define our state.
Shayne Dizard
Member of Progressive Maryland’s Healthcare Task Force
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