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Transgender health equity bill fails to pass Maryland General Assembly

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Transgender activists and allies in Maryland are regrouping after a invoice to cowl gender-affirming care underneath the state’s Medicaid program did not move this legislative session.

The Trans Well being Fairness Act, sponsored by Del. Anne Kaiser (D-Montgomery), would have required the state’s Medicaid program to cowl gender-affirming care. The care ranges from particular person procedures that price lower than $800, reminiscent of voice remedy, to ones that price greater than $25,000, reminiscent of facial feminization or masculinization surgical procedures.

Many personal medical health insurance plans already cowl gender-affirming therapies. The invoice is designed to increase the protection to lower-income people who depend on Medicaid for well being care. There are about 2,000 transgender Marylanders receiving Medicaid advantages, Kaiser stated.

“This invoice actually was extra about entry than medical necessity as a result of trans individuals with entry can get a few of these identical procedures,” stated transgender rights advocate Monica Yorkman. “This invoice, for me, actually got here all the way down to a category invoice. It actually got here all the way down to poor trans individuals.”

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The measure would have made Maryland be part of the group of states that cowl gender-affirming care inside their Medicaid packages. Trans activists in Maryland stated the invoice’s passage was extra essential this 12 months than ever earlier than, as states throughout the nation enact strict transgender well being care legal guidelines.

This 12 months, many states have handed or thought-about laws that limits entry to gender-affirming care. Final week, Alabama enacted a regulation that makes it a felony to manage gender-affirming care to minors. The regulation carries as much as 10 years of jail time for medical doctors who present the care.

[Maryland General Assembly passes juvenile justice reform bills]

Some advocates blame election 12 months politics within the Normal Meeting for the invoice’s holdup. The invoice handed out of committee in each chambers of the Normal Meeting and thru the Senate, however was by no means launched for debate on the Home flooring.

Maryland Issues reported April 2 that the Normal Meeting’s web site not lists the March 25 Home committee votes on the invoice as having occurred. There’s additionally no digital document of the witnesses for the Home committee’s listening to of Kaiser’s invoice.

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“By no means earlier than in my 20 years … have I ever seen a invoice be erased, primarily,” Kaiser stated. “A neighborhood that already feels disconnected and erased and certain sufficient, we’re erasing this.”

The invoice didn’t have a flooring vote within the Home resulting from a call from the workplace of Speaker Adrienne Jones, Kaiser stated. She added one among Gov. Larry Hogan’s employees members instructed her the governor would veto the invoice if it handed within the Normal Meeting.

Democratic leaders within the Normal Meeting had sufficient votes to move the invoice however not sufficient to override the governor’s possible veto with the required three-fifths majority. And if a lawmaker from a purple district voted in opposition to the invoice to maintain their seat after this 12 months’s election, it will be tougher to sway them to vote in favor subsequent 12 months when their rejection is on the meeting’s everlasting document, Kaiser stated.

Kaiser added a lot of her colleagues had been keen to danger dropping their elections to face up for trans Marylanders, however that danger wouldn’t be value it if the invoice couldn’t survive the governor’s veto.

[Maryland General Assembly adjourns sine die with first show of celebration in 4 years]

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“We received far, however not fairly far sufficient. There have been some political calculations made by the Speaker’s workplace,” Kaiser stated. “However the upsetting factor, in fact, was that the progress we made was erased.”

Activists and lawmakers plan to convey the invoice again subsequent 12 months, however some members of the state’s transgender neighborhood are pissed off the election-year delay might trigger elevated struggling for trans individuals.

Yorkman has private expertise with overcoming obstacles to protection and has helped others navigate the obstacles of gender-affirming remedy within the Medicaid system. She has been advocating for trans rights throughout the state and nation for years, so the invoice’s failure is “all the time irritating, however wasn’t shocking.”

“After they discuss in regards to the backroom politics of it, I simply suppose that’s sort of shaky. I believe that’s weak as water,” Yorkman stated. “You don’t appear to rely our votes. You don’t appear to suppose that we have now any say so within the election.”

Margo Quinlan, an activist with advocacy group Trans Maryland, understands the political necessity of holding the invoice as a result of it is going to serve advocates properly subsequent 12 months. Nonetheless, entrance and middle in her thoughts is the devastation for members of her neighborhood who have interaction in high-risk well being care selections for gender-affirming remedy as a result of it’s not coated underneath their Medicaid plans.

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“Within the 12 months that we’re ready to convey this invoice again subsequent 12 months, individuals will die,” Quinlan stated. “Trans individuals will face all kinds of penalties whereas we’re ready for our well being care, and that seems like a, only a actually grave injustice to me.”



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4th of July fireworks: How and where to watch 2024 celebrations in Maryland & Virginia

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4th of July fireworks: How and where to watch 2024 celebrations in Maryland & Virginia


The Fourth of July is a short distance away and the festivities are in the air. And a fireworks show is a must to celebrate the Independence Day of America. However, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact scenic viewpoints to watch fireworks. In this article, we will explore the top scenic locations in Maryland and Virginia to watch the fireworks the right way.

Fourth of July fireworks in Maryland and Virginia.

Also Read: 4th of July fireworks: How and where to watch in 2024 celebrations in DC

Fourth of July fireworks show in Maryland: Top locations to visit

Six Flags America Fireworks Celebration: Timing

Plan your day at Six Flags America for the celebration of the Fourth of July with their day-long activities including rides, slides, and entertainment and an evening filled with DJ parties. Conclude your day with a display of fun fireworks at 9:15 pm. The tickets for the three-day event from July 4 to July 6 are priced at $25 and offer VIP fireworks packages as well, as reported by NBC Washington.

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Germantown Glory Concert and Fireworks: Timing

For the folks residing in Montgomery County, the concert will be a family-friendly option to celebrate Independence Day. There is no entry fee and the concert will start at 7 pm on July 4. Visit the South Germantown Recreational Park in Boyds with your picnic sets and enjoy food from vendors as you enjoy the lively performance by the Central City Orchestra. No pets and alcoholic beverages are allowed at the concert.

Also Read: 2024 Fourth of July survey: Best US cities to celebrate Independence Day

Rockville’s Independence Day Celebration: Timing

Enjoy the music era of the 80s and 90s covered by the band Uncle Jesse followed by the address from the mayor and council. As reported by NBC Washington, visit Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park (1800 Piccard Drive, Rockville, Maryland) by 7 pm and enjoy a performance by the Victorian Lyric Opera Company. There are parking lots available and everyone is encouraged to bring blankets and picnic sets to enjoy a comfortable evening. Fireworks will follow at 9:15 pm and there is no admission fee.

Frederick’s 4th: Timing

Celebrate the Fourth of July in Frederick County at Baker Park, Frederick, Maryland from noon to dusk. The two-stage set for the event will ensure family entertainment with rides, food, fireworks and more one and performances by Milk Mountain, Sons of Pirates, and 8 OHMS on the other. Wine and beer from three separate gardens will be available followed by an evening of fireworks. There is no admission fee for the celebrations.

Charles County Fairgrounds Fireworks

Station yourself at Charles County Fairgrounds (8440 Fairgrounds Road, La Plata, Maryland) by 10:30 pm on the Independence Day evening to celebrate with live music, food from vendors, rides for children and the must-show of fireworks. There is no admission fee to pay at the venue.

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Also Read: 4th of July fireworks: How and where to watch 2024 celebrations in Los Angeles

Fourth of July fireworks show in Virginia: Top locations to visit

Stafford County

Those looking to celebrate Independence Day with food trucks, DJ and lawn games can head to John Lee Pratt Park (120 River Road, Fredericksburg, Virginia) with fireworks at 9:30 pm. According to NBC Washington, the event is free for residents of Stafford County and for others, there is a charge of $10 for every car and $5 for every walk-in. A life performance by the Fredericksburg concert band is also scheduled at 6:30 pm.

Manassas’ Celebrate America

The historic downtown of Manassas will start its celebration at 3:00 pm at Manassas Museum Lawn, 9101 Prince William St. The fireworks will begin at 9:15 pm preceded by fun activities including kids’ rides, face paintings, and food from vendors. People interested can bring chairs, tables and blankets and station themselves on the Manassas Museum lawn.

Also Read: 4th of July sales in US: Shop top brands on furniture, fashion, beauty and more

Great Falls

Looking for farms to celebrate the Fourth of July? Head towards Turner Farm, 925 Springvale Rd., Great Falls in Virginia who are offering fun activities including inflatable rides, a climbing wall and a cornhole tournament at a donation of $20 per family and premium locations for fireworks at $150-$300. The farms will open at 6 pm and individuals can participate or volunteer for the tournament through their website. Fireworks will follow at 9 pm.

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Fairfax: We Stand United

The Fairfax High School is celebrating Independence Day with historic home tours and parades at Fairfax High School, 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax. The evening shows will begin at 6:30 pm and fireworks at 9:30 pm. There is a space crunch in parking lots, however, people can park at Woodson High School and take a shuttle bus to the location of the fireworks, as reported by NBC Washington.

Great Meadow Independence Day Celebration

Head to 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains for a day full of activities priced at $50 per car in advance for up to six passengers and $60 at the gate. The Great Meadow is hosting their 35th annual Fourth of July celebrations which will start at 5 pm. Their award-winning fireworks with drones and will fire off at dusk. The day will kick off with an air show by the Flying Circus and lawn games for the family. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase or people can bring their picnic.

 



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Montgomery County man dies after altercation with neighbor, family seeks answers

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Montgomery County man dies after altercation with neighbor, family seeks answers


A Germantown man has passed away following a heated altercation with his neighbor nearly three weeks ago. 

Montgomery County police reported that 40-year-old Marvin Guevara died over the weekend at a nearby hospital.

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Guevara’s family is grappling with his sudden death, awaiting the results of an autopsy to understand what led to his tragic end.

“I really thought my dad was going to make it. He’s a really strong man. WAS a really strong man,” said Marvin Guevara Jr., Guevara’s son.

Guevara Sr. had been hospitalized for 17 days, fighting for his life after an argument turned physical with his next-door neighbor.

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“My dad got hurt really bad,” added Guevara Jr.

According to Guevara Jr., who rushed to their home on Bucklodge Road in Boyds upon learning of the incident, his father was dizzy and struggling after sustaining multiple punches to the head during the dispute.

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Police indicated that the altercation escalated when a female neighbor confronted Guevara about his dogs, which had wandered into her backyard. 

The confrontation turned violent when the neighbor allegedly struck Guevara in the head.

Guevara’s daughter-in-law, who witnessed the incident, described the neighbor as attacking him from behind, causing him to collapse. 

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Video footage captured the tense aftermath, with voices heard urging Guevara to leave their property.

FOX 5 reached out to the neighbor for comment, who responded defensively, claiming Guevara had been trespassing.

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Despite the family’s grief, no arrests have been made yet. 

Police are awaiting the results of the autopsy from the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to determine the official cause of Guevara’s death.

“He was a wonderful person; always smiled. He was always there for others – always had a good heart,” Guevara Jr. remembered his father.

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Team Maryland Announces $2.5 Million to Bolster School-Based Medicaid & CHIP Services for Children – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin

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Team Maryland Announces $2.5 Million to Bolster School-Based Medicaid & CHIP Services for Children – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin


WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) today announced $2.5 million in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services funding to bolster school-based health services for Maryland children. 

Made available through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the federal dollars will be used to enhance facilities, recruit health care providers, and develop systems to further reinvest in growing school-based health care offerings for students. School-based health care allows children and adolescents – especially those in underserved communities – to access critical primary, preventive, mental, and behavioral health care in convenient, trusted settings, and has been shown to have positive impacts on both the health and academic outcomes of students.

“Investing in the health and wellbeing of our children is an investment in our future,” said the lawmakers. “Team Maryland has long fought to secure stronger, more expansive health benefits for children, particularly through Medicaid and CHIP, and this federal funding will help further that mission.”

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