Howard Republicans blasted County Executive Ken Ulman for a health access program they say is ill-conceived and a tool for political gain.
“This could end up being a very costly program for Howard County,” said John Bailey, vice chairman of the Howard County Republican Central Committee, who called for the county to delay implementation of the initiative.
The Healthy Howard health access program, which will be started in October, aims to extend health care to county residents who are uninsured in a groundbreaking program being watched nationwide.
Bailey took issue with the health program sharing its name with Healthy Howard, a county-run initiative encouraging health and wellness in schools and restaurants.
“It?s being tied in very much to what the government is trying to do,” he said, adding this leaves the county vulnerable if the health program runs into problems.
Bailey said he isn?t convinced the county has worked out what happens if future fundraisingfalls short or what safeguards are in place to ensure only Howard residents benefit.
The proposed fiscal 2009 operating budget includes $500,000 for the program, which also will be funded by private donors and participants.
However, the health access program will be run by a nonprofit, Healthy Howard Inc. ? not the county. Contracts with participants will outline what happens if the plan falls apart, leaving the county off the hook, Howard Health Officer Dr. Peter Beilenson said.
Sharing the Healthy Howard name was intentional, as the county wants to “brand it under this model public health community,” he said.
Councilman Greg Fox, R-District 5, introduced budget amendments that would require the nonprofit to change its name if the county keeps the Healthy Howard initiative.
He also wants to require officials to demonstrate the program is only enrolling legal U.S. residents and provide an annual report to the County Council, provisions to which Beilenson agreed.
Fox said the amendments addressed several of his concerns about the county?s liability.
Ulman?s spokesman Kevin Enright said these concerns have been addressed by the administration and the council will have final say for current and future funding.
In response to criticism that Ulman was using the program as political gain, Beilenson said, “If this is good politically, that?s great, but this is working on behalf of his constituents and that?s what he was elected to do.”
