Councilmember Trachtenberg Attends Annapolis Rally for Alcohol Tax

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg participated in a well-attended rally in Annapolis in support of an state alcohol tax (HB 832 | SB 717). County Executive Ike Leggett and various state delegates and senators were in attendance, including Maryland Delegates Bill Bronrott and Ana Sol Gutierrez and Maryland Senators Rich Madaleno and Jennie Forehand.

In her remarks Councilmember Trachtenberg spoke of the critical need for increased dollars for both mental health and addiction programming. As a trained clinician with a specialty in adolescent addiction, she spoke passionately about the need for more focused spending on substance abuse screening and early intervention programming. Councilmember Trachtenberg reminded attendees of the link between early drinking and subsequent behavioral health challenges and stated that "increased cost for alcohol consumption is the single biggest factor in deterring adolescent abuse of alcohol."

Councilmember Trachtenberg also evoked the poignant words of Winston Churchill in encouraging attendees to pursue strident advocacy both in Annapolis and in their communities: "Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts."

With her participation, she joined a broad coalition of human services, health care and business groups in Annapolis to urge an increase in the tax the state imposes on alcohol. Revenue from the proposed 10-cent per drink increase would be dedicated to funding services for people with alcohol and substance addictions, developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, and health care for the uninsured. Maryland has not increased its tax on wine and beer since 1972 or its tax on liquor and spirits since 1955. Maryland taxes on these beverages are the fourth lowest among the 50 states.

Doctors Pat Salomon, M.D. and Dana Beyer, M.D., Councilmember Trachtenberg’s Senior Advisors for Health and Human Services, also attended the Annapolis Rally.

For more information:

House Bill 832
Senate Bill 717
Press Release

Duchy Trachtenberg Discusses Health Care Reform at Leisure World

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg was a featured speaker at a “Health Care Reform” forum in Leisure World. Almost 90 people attended the session that discussed health care reform, pending congressional action, women’s health, County health initiatives, and the importance of preventive care. Also participating in the forum was John Nugent from Planned Parenthood who discussed health care as a moral and ethical imperative.

County Launches Online Appointments for H1N1 Vaccinations

County officials announced today that residents can now make appointments for H1N1 vaccinations online (www.montgomerycountymd.gov/h1n1flu). The H1N1 vaccination is FREE and clinics are open to all County residents. Both nasal spray and injectable vaccine will be available.

“It’s not too late to be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus,” said Dr. Ulder J. Tillman, County health officer. “The typical season for influenza is the winter months and the best way to prevent illness is to be vaccinated. There is ample vaccine available and I urge all residents to get vaccinated.”

Those who prefer to make appointments by telephone can call the flu appointment line (240-777-4040) on Monday, January 11 and Monday, January 25 from 1 to 4 p.m.

The clinics will be held:

Tuesday, January 12
4 to 7 p.m.
Davis Library
6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda

8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.
Germantown Health Center
12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown

Wednesday, January 13
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
White Oak Library
11701 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring

Thursday, January 14
3 to 6 p.m.
Gaithersburg Library
18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg

Wednesday, January 20
4 to 7 p.m.
Damascus Library
9701 Main Street, Damascus

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Davis Library
6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda

Thursday, January 21
4 to 7 p.m.
Marilyn J. Praisner Library (Fairland)
14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville

Tuesday, January 26
1 to 4 p.m.
Germantown Library
19840 Century Blvd., Germantown

Wednesday, January 27
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wheaton Library
11701 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring

Thursday, January 28
5 to 8 p.m.
Rockville Library
21 Maryland Ave., Rockville

Clinics will be cancelled in case of inclement weather based on the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) schedule. If schools have a delayed opening, clinics that begin before noon will be cancelled. If school is cancelled, all clinics will be cancelled.

Check Montgomery County’s website, www.montgomerycountymd.gov/h1n1flu, for up-to-date information about vaccine availability and sign up for email updates about H1N1 by clicking on the “Public Health Alerts” icon. The Flu Information Line— 240-777-4200—is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m

The Latino Health Initiative Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Report

The Latino Health Initiative (LHI) of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services was established in July 2000 by the County Executive and the Montgomery County Council, with the support of Latino leaders. Charged with the development and implementation of a plan of action that would be responsive to the health needs of Latinos in the county, the LHI created the Blueprint for Latino Health in Montgomery County, Maryland, 2002-2006. The Blueprint, which was updated during FY08, identifies seven major health priorities and policy recommendations and provides strategic direction for addressing Latino health issues in the county.

The Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Report documents the accomplishments of well-established and effective programs which yield positive outcomes, such as:

• Smoking Cessation Program
• “Ama Tu Vida”(Love your Life) Health Festival and Soccer Tournament
• Asthma Management Program
• Emergency Preparedness Project
• Foreign-Trained Health Professionals Program
• Latino Youth Wellness Program
• System Navigator and Medical Interpreter Program
• Vías de la Salud Health Promoters Program
• State Workshop on Latino Health
• Latino Health Initiative in the Media
• Education Materials for Lay and Professional Audiences
• Presentations at Professional Events
• Latino Health Initiative Awards

To view the complete report, please click here.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg commends the Latino Health Initiative’s effort to protect the environment by making the report only available in an electronic version. The Portable Document Format (PDF) version is in compliance with Federal regulations section 508, which enables people with disabilities to access the document with or without screen readers and other special devices.

Councilmember Trachtenberg looks forward to meeting the LHI’s leadership and Steering Committee in January to address and discuss their objectives, needs and priorities for Fiscal Year 2010.

Discussing Health Care at Leisure World

I had the pleasure and honor of participating in a Health Care Reform panel discussion yesterday over at Leisure World, hosted by ENFORCE. The turn out was very strong and a substantive discussion followed. The questions were quite thoughtful and provided both panels with a broad range of concerns to debate. These questions touched on everything from internet privacy to the solvency of our Medicare system; to how best to reduce health care costs without adding to our National deficit; tort reform; the public option; and the potential future problems with excluding illegal immigrants from any taxpayer funded health care plans.

This is clearly a complicated and topic and the debate will continue as this bill now moves on from the House to the Senate. I look forward to following this closely and continuing to help all of the citizens of Montgomery County better understand these issues.