Moore Appoints Dr. Meena Seshamani as New Health Secretary
Shortly after announcing a new Commerce Secretary, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) appointed Dr. Meena Seshamani, as health secretary on Feb. 6.
Seshamani is a Hopkins-trained surgeon, Oxford-trained Ph.D. economist, and a Marshall Scholar. She previously led the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
“Dr. Meena Seshamani is among the nation’s top health leaders – with an extraordinary career spanning expertise in public service, medical practice, economics, academia, and advocacy. She has made our nation’s health care system fairer, more affordable, and more accessible to all — including our most vulnerable, from families in poverty to communities with disabilities,” said Moore in a press release. “We thank her for raising her hand to serve in this new role.”
Current Health Secretary Dr. Laura Scott will conclude her role on Feb. 28, and Seshamani is expected to be confirmed by the State Senate in early April.
During this transition, Ryan B. Moran, deputy secretary for health care financing, will serve as acting secretary.
Moore celebrated Scott’s leadership over the past two years as health secretary, where she first served in the acting role from January to March, when she officially assumed the title.
“Dr. Laura Herrera Scott has laid a strong foundation at the Maryland Department of Health over the last two years and is to be commended for her service,” Moore said. “My friend and fellow veteran has done this administration and her state proud.”
Some Marylanders took to social media to celebrate after Moore’s office announced Seshamani’s appointment.
“Amazing news,” one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Maryland gets the leadership of the incredible Dr. Meena Seshamani, who led Medicare and its drug price negotiation reforms through the Biden years.”
Governor’s Proposed Budget Trims Long-Term Funding for Disabled Community, Education
With federal spending cuts and concerns over mass firings looming, the fight to pass a balanced budget is now progressing through Annapolis.
Gov. Wes Moore (D) has sent a budget proposal to both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly, and questions remain about how much more new revenue is needed and what budget cuts can be justified.
Senate President Bill Ferguson warned that hundreds of millions of additional cuts may be required due to Republican efforts in Washington to lower taxes for the wealthy, while shifting health care costs to the states.
Education advocates Liz Zogby and Kalman Hettleman cautioned that the proposed budget will cut state and local Blueprint funding by about $218 million this year, a cut of about 14%, and reduce Blueprint funding by as much as $2.2 billion through 2029.
American Federation for Teachers (AFT)’s Maryland chapter also lobbied to fully fund the Blueprint in late January and AFT Maryland President Kenya Campbell argued that the BOOST program, which provides funding for students to attend private and charter schools, should be a target for cuts.
“Those numbers are not misprints. They’re not absolutely definitive either. But that’s because the governor’s budget this year is unusually complicated with innumerable open questions and will be a moving target until the details and accompanying legislation can be analyzed in the coming weeks,” read an op-ed penned by Zogby and Hettleman. “Still, the big picture is crystal clear: The proposed cutbacks are astonishingly large, putting the future of the Blueprint in grave danger.”
Moore has also proposed $200 million in cuts for the Developmental Disabilities Administration, which hundreds of advocates rallied against in Annapolis.
The Arc, an organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has vocalized criticism of the proposed cuts.
“The families just feel like it was a meeting to have a meeting — and their voices were not heard. It’s that simple,” said Maryland Community Connection’s Executive Director Andre Coats, following a call with state officials to discuss the proposed budget cuts.
Coats emphasized the need for clarity on specific cuts.
“It can be challenging for a lot of people affected by these budget cuts to give feedback because it is such a complex system, and we still lack a lot of clarity in the exact nature of what the budget cuts will be,” he continued. “We know, in general, what they’re talking about, but many of us still have questions about the specificity of the proposals — and how those cuts are implemented have a huge impact on peoples’ lives.”
The Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) partnered with Salisbury University’s Business and Community Outreach Network (BEACON) on a recent study, which found that every dollar invested into local development agencies, such as TEDCO, generates $8.81 in state and federal tax return.
“Strong, healthy communities depend on a robust business sector that provides family-supporting jobs for our residents and a tax base to support critical municipal infrastructure and programs,” said MEDA President Richard G. Griffin.
“Local economic development organizations help retain, expand, and attract private business investment that results in a strong financial return to the community – an estimated $8.81 average return on investment for every dollar invested,” Griffin continued. “MEDA is committed to supporting economic developers with best practices and professional development that expands capabilities and helps transform lives.”
