Copyright Baltimore Sun
Maryland is home to some of the best hospitals and medical institutions in the country, yet health care inequity continues to harm our communities. Access to care in our state often depends on where a person lives, their income and their insurance status. In places like Prince George’s and Baltimore counties, many residents still struggle to find affordable, timely medical services, especially primary and preventive care. Through my own research and interviews with Maryland physicians, I’ve seen how these inequities affect real people. Patients skip medications because of cost, delay appointments due to long travel times, or go without checkups entirely because nearby clinics are understaffed. These are not isolated problems; they reflect systemic gaps that keep the most vulnerable Marylanders from getting the care they deserve. We need stronger investment in community health clinics, mobile medical units and preventive care programs that reach underserved areas. Health care should not be a privilege determined by ZIP code, but a basic right supported by our state policies. As Maryland continues to grow, I hope our lawmakers and health care leaders will make equity, not just excellence, the standard of our medical system. — Carmen Parada, College Park
