Legum’s New Line

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Substance abuse is a serious drain on Maryland’s financial resources, crowding the courts and filling up jails. A new report by the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute finds that there are insufficient resources for treatment and prevention. The Capital has the details:

There were about 70,000 Marylanders admitted to treatment in 2007, but thousands more remained untreated, according to the institute’s report…

Maryland spends an average of $117 million – 0.64 percent of the state’s budget – on substance-abuse prevention, treatment and research, which ranks it third in the nation for per capita spending.

Yet out of every $100 spent on substance abuse in Maryland, only about $4.53 goes toward prevention and treatment efforts.

That results in “a substance-abuse system which struggles to stretch its resources to meet the need for treatment of current abusers, with little left to make effective strides in prevention,” the report stated.

To address our long-term budget problems, we need to not only cut spending but also figure out how to use the money we do spend more efficiently.

You can read the full report here.

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There are now 9 probable cases of swine flu in Maryland, including a White House aide who traveled to Mexico and infected three others in Anne Arundel County. The Governor’s office has responded by creating a dedicated “Swine Flu Preparedness” website and launching a “Swine Flu Command Center” and a “Swine Flu Medical Advisory Board.”

As of this morning, the United States has 109 confirmed cases of Swine Flu resulting in one death. The WHO has raised “the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5,” so this is obviously very serious.

It’s worth noting, however, that each year, 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from the regular flu. So the common step precautions to avoid contracting the flu are worth following whether there is a swine flu pandemic or not.

UPDATE: The state just announced you can call 1-877-MDFLU4U or email swineflu@dhmh.state.md.us to get your questions answered.

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Today, the House of Delegates considered legislation by Del. Sue Kullen that would impose stiff penalties on tattoo parlors that ink minors without parental consent. The House GOP countered with an amendment to the legislation which would have imposed the same conditions on abortion providers. WBAL has the details:

Delegates are considering a bill that would require minors get their parents’ permission before getting a tattoo or body piercing.

Delegates who oppose abortions proposed an amendment to extend that parental consent requirement to teens seeking abortions.

Anne Arundel County Republican Delegate Ron George was among the delegates who backed the amendment. He wanted to expand parental consent to a procedure that is “more invasive” than getting a tattoo.

The House parliamentarian ruled that the amendment changed the purpose of the bill, which is against Maryland rules. In Maryland, each bill can only have one subject – a much different approach than the U.S. Congress. The House of Delegates affirmed the parliamentarians ruling by a vote of 103-35.

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The Baltimore Sun reports that Sen. Barbara Mikulski, one of Maryland’s most popular politicians, may be tapped by Obama to replace Daschle at the Department of Health and Human Services:

Unconfirmed rumors began seeping out of Capitol Hill late today that Maryland Sen. Barbara A. MIkulski is under consideration for the suddenly vacant position of Secretary of Health and Human Services.

A spokeswoman for Mikulski did not immediately return email and cellphone messages, which only added to the mystery. The White House had no comment, but it does not typically respond to reports about prospective appointments unless they are about to be made public.

…Her image as a feisty spokeswoman for working-class voters could be an asset at HHS, particularly as the Obama administration attempts to sell its health care overhaul plan to the nation. She is also well-versed in the details of Medicare and Social Security.

Previously, Mikulski was named to “to lead a Senate working group that will help draft a national health care plan.”

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With the state struggling to close a nearly $2 billion budget deficit, there’s not much money to go around for new initiatives. But there are plenty of worthwhile proposals that don’t carry a big price tag for the state.

For example, legislation by Del. Doyle Niemann (D-Prince George’s) “would require chain restaurants to post calorie counts for their menu items.” Similar proposals were recently passed into law in Philadelphia, New York City and California. The reason is simple: when nutritional information is available people eat health food more, eat unhealthy food less and restaurants provide better options. Scientific studies have confirmed this:

[W]hen favorable nutrition information was presented on restaurant menus, consumers had more favorable attitudes towards the items and higher purchase intentions. When unfavorable nutrition information was presented, there was a negative influence on product attitudes and purchase
intentions. … [I]f restaurants were required to disclose nutrition information, consumers would be more likely to choose more healthful menu items. In addition, requiring restaurants to provide nutrition information may encourage restaurants to improve the healthfulness of their menu options.

Proposals like Del. Niemann’s are supported by a wide range of groups including the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association., and American Medical Association. Incidently, recent public opinion polls have found that menu labeling is supported by about 80% of Americans.

More resources and information on menu labeling here.

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For the next three months, the local grocery chain Giant will give away several types of common antibiotics to customers. The Baltimore Examiner has the story on the new program:

Giant Food pharmacies will fill antibiotic prescriptions for free this winter amid tough economic times for their customers, the company announced this week.

“This was our way to say, ‘We hear you, we understand what you are going through and we don’t want you to be without something you need,’ ” said Robin Michel, executive vice president and general manager of Landover-based Giant.

Through March 21, pharmacies will offer up to 14-day supplies of 36 varieties of common antibiotics, such as erythromycin, amoxicillin and penicillin.

The announcement is welcome news to cash strapped Marylanders who are struggling with rising health care costs.

But Giant’s move is not without its critics. The Infectious Diseases Society of America has previously expressed concerns that such programs “could pressure more physicians to prescribe antibiotics, which could lead to more resistance to antibiotics.” Dr. Sara Cosgrove, director of the antibiotic management program at Johns Hopkins cautioned that “[m]any common winter illnesses, such as sinusitis, are viral and don’t require antibiotics.”

ABC News covered the controversy when a similar offer was made by pharmacies in Florida and Michigan.

You can find the details about Giant’s program here.

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