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