Kratovil Tours Health Facilities

Rep. Kratovil Tours Health Facilities to get First Hand View of Patients, Practitioners, and Community Needs

Washington, DC – After holding 12 public events where he was able to speak directly with constituents about their concerns regarding pending health care reform legislation in the House of Representatives as well as share many of his own concerns, Rep. Kratovil spent the early part of this week touring various health care facilities throughout the First District to get a firsthand view of the needs of patients, practitioners and the communities they serve.

“The debate over healthcare reform in this country will affect all of our families. This is why I am taking this August recess to listen to citizens throughout the district, hear their concerns, and share with them my thoughts and concerns,” said Rep. Kratovil. “I also wanted to make sure I got firsthand accounts from the people on the front line of health care in this country. Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists understand best how to administer care and what the barriers are to more effective health care services. I was able to take this opportunity to listen to those on both the patient side and on the practitioner side to better understand the state of health care in Maryland’s First Congressional District.”

On Monday August 18th Rep. Kratovil attended the groundbreaking for the new Queen Anne’s County Emergency Center, telling the crowd, “Often times rural areas like those here on the Eastern Shore are overlooked when it comes to funding and services. While this may have been the case in the past; I suggest that we use today’s event to re-dedicate ourselves to the constant fight for parity and equality between urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods despite income and population but instead based on essential needs and services.” From there Rep. Kratovil went on to meet with ER Doctors, pharmacists and social workers at Easton Memorial Hospital in Easton, MD.

On Tuesday August 19th Rep. Kratovil met with representatives from Western Shore Medical facilities, the Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, MD and Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, MD. The concerns of those who attended these roundtables were different than other areas of the district but still focused on delivering better healthcare to a growing community. “On the Eastern Shore families are dealing with doctor shortages, while on the Western Shore a growing population related to BRAC is requiring that the health care community expand to provide essential services,” said Rep. Kratovil. “It is a prime example of how any reform to the health care system cannot be homogenous. Even in communities separated by only the Chesapeake Bay, unique concerns call for unique solutions. That’s why we need to take the time to get health reform right, because this issue is too complex to be solved with empty rhetoric or cookie-cutter solutions.”

Kratovil then traveled to Cecil County to meet with patients and the medical leadership at Perry Point Veterans Administration Medical Center in Perry Point, MD. Here Rep. Kratovil, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, discussed the unique medical needs of our veteran population. “Honoring our commitment to our America’s Veterans means providing first class medical care not only when they return home but for as long as they need the services of the Nation they helped defend,” said Rep. Kratovil. “In Congress I have been urging my colleagues to commit to focusing on both the mental and physical well-being of the Nation’s active military, as well as veterans, and to support the policies, resources, and funding necessary to successfully combat the mental and physical healthcare challenges that they may confront. Given protracted deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan the VA will be dealing with a new generation of patients with unique needs, and in order to serve them properly the VA must be properly prepared and well funded.” Later on Tuesday evening Rep. Kratovil will also attend the ribbon cutting for the new American Legion in Easton, MD, again re-affirming his commitment to local veterans.

In addition to touring these facilities, Rep. Kratovil also attended town council meetings in Templeville and Chestertown, MD.