As most dKos readers know, the Maryland legislature passed the historic Fair Share Health Care law and subsequently, in early 2006, overrode Governor Ehrlich's veto of the legislation. The legislation required that companies with more than 10,000 employees spend a minimum of 8% of payroll on health care, or pay the difference between that floor and the actual expenditures into a fund to expand coverage. The legislation was groundbreaking.
As most of you also know, last month WalMart was successful in suing to have the legislation overturned; the judgement stated that it was pre-empted by ERISA and also that it would be an unfair burden on WalMart. That judgement is on appeal.
But the history of the development of this legislation is largely due to the work of Dr. Peter Beilenson, former health care commissioner for Baltimore and candidate for the third congressional district. Dr. Beilenson has a strong commitment to expanding healthcare coverage that he will continue as our representative in Congress.
For some background on Peter Beilenson and expansion of health care coverage, and why this race matters, continue on.
Peter Beilenson has long had a commitment to expansion of health care coverage for the uninsured. While the city's health commissioner, he worked to create a coalition of healthcare organizations, labor, and business groups, founding the
Maryland Health Care for All coalition. The single factor bringing all members to the table was the problem of uninsured patients and the burdens placed on the system, on the patients, and on the responsible employers who provided coverage to pick up the costs of care for the uninsured. That those employers were bearing an unfair burden in doing the right thing was what got them to engage in this discussion, rather than engaging in a race to the bottom and dropping their coverage. The 8% floor for employers with more than 10,000 employees was reached in discussions with all the members of this coalition. Peter Beilenson was instrumental in getting all these parties to work together on developing creative ways to expand coverage.
After the recent court defeat, Dr. Beilenson stated his disagreement with the decision; he also stated his plan to work, as a member of Congress, to amend ERISA to allow for laws such as the Maryland Fair Share Health Act. Many states are working on different ways to expand healthcare coverage, and it is a major topic at this weeks Governor's conference; many of those efforts could be for nought if they are barred by ERISA.
Of course, Dr. Beilenson's work on the Healthcare for All coalition was only one part of his successful tenure in the Health Department. Under his watch, the teen pregnancy rate in the city fell dramatically. He instituted a needle exchange program, important in this city with a high rate of intravenous drup users, but also drug treatment was expanded significantly. He founded the Safe and Sound Campaign to improve lives for Baltimore's children and families. As his website points out, he was named "Best Civil Servant" by Baltimore Magazine.
And, in this age of terrorism and need for preparedness, Peter Beilenson has been a voice of reason and a spokesperson for the need for protection. Along with the mayor, Martin O'Malley, Dr. Beilenson worked to develop a plan for bioterrorism preparedness. Peter Beilenson has been a vocal and sharp critic of the Bush administration's poor attention to security matters (as well as other issues.)
Peter Beilenson has been endorsed by SEIU, by ACORN, by the Interfaith Ministerial Alliance of Baltimore City, by Democracy for Howard County, and by the Columbia Democratic Club, among others.
Please check out his website. And if you wish, please contribute! Peter Beilenson will bring a wealth of needed experience to the US House of Representatives.