THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

JUST AHEAD ON OUR PROGRAM THIS WEEK, HOW THE BALTIMORE V.A.

IS REACHING OUT TO HOMELESS VETERANS.

AND THE TECH COMMUNITY CELEBRATING A NEW FEDERAL DECK NATION.

>>> FIRST THIS WEEK, A SHIFT IN THE RACE TO SUCCEED RETIRING U.S.

SENATOR BEN CARD EN.

LAST FRIDAY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER WILL JAWANDO DROPPED OUT OF THE RACE FOR THE DEMOCRAT EXNOMINATION AND THREE DAYS LATER WES MOORE ENDORSED PRINCE GEORGE'S ANGELA ALSOBROOKS.

WE SPOKE ABOUT IT WITH ROGER HARTLEY, DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT THE VERSIONTY OF BALTIMORE.

UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE.

Dr. HARTLEY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT ANGELA ALSOBROOKS HAD A REALLY GOOD WEEK.

WOULD YOU AGREE?

>> I WOULD ABSOLUTELY AGREE.

I THINK FOR THIS U.S. SENATE RACE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO BOTH CANDIDATES ANGELA ALSOBROOKS AND DAVID TRONE IS THAT THEY ARE WELL-KNOWN IN THE PART OF THE STATE THAT THEY LIVE IN.

AND THEIR DISTRICTS.

BUT THEY ARE NOT WELL-KNOWN NECESSARILY AROUND THE STATE.

SO ANGELA ALSOBROOKS BEING A COUNTY EXECUTIVE GETTING THE ENDORSEMENT OF GOVERNOR MOORE IS ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT AND THE ENDORSEMENTS THAT SHE RACKED UP FROM LEADERS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE LIKE BALTIMORE COUNTY'S JOHNNY ASHESKI, THAT IS HOW A CANDIDATE GETS THEIR NAME OUT TO APPEAL TO DEMOCRAT VOTERS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE THROUGH ENDORSEMENTS.

AND DAVID TRONE BEING WELL-KNOWN AS A U.S.

CONGRESSMAN, BUT ALSO IN THE AREA OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY ET CETERA.

NEEDS TO ALSO BE ABLE TO GET SOME OF THESE TYPES OF ENDORSEMENTS OR HIGH EARNED NAME RECOGNITION IN OTHER PARTS OF OUR STATE.

>> Jeff: Mr. TRONE IS GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND.

HE IS A WEALTHY BUSINESSMAN AND PLANNING TO SPEND TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

MS. ALSOBROOKS IS GOING TO HAVE THE LION'S SHARE OF ENDORSEMENTS ALREADY DOES AND I SUPPOSE THAT CAN TRANSLATE INTO FUNDRAISING AS WELL.

>> IT CAN, INDEED.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OR THE MOST RECENT QUARTER'S FUNDRAISING, TOTALS, SHE HAS DONE PRETTY WELL.

I THINK I HAD SEEN SHE HAD $1.5 MILLION AND SPENT SOME OF THAT.

I CAN'T REMEMBER THE FIGURE.

DAVID TRONE HAD NOT RAISED AS MUCH BUT HAS PERSONAL WEALTH THAT HE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CAMPAIGN AND PROBABLY HAS A WAR CHEST FROM BEING A CONGRESSMAN AND LINEAGS TO PACS.

THEY WILL BE WELL ENOUGH.

AND CERTAINLY DAVID CONGRESSMAN TRONE HAS THE ABILITY TO SPEND MORE OF HIS PERSONAL WEALTH THAT 'ING ANG CANNOT DRAW ON.

BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO OUTSPEND AN OPPONENT.

YOU HAVE TO STAY IN THE GAME WITH AN OPPONENT.

IT'S WHEN YOU GET A LOPSIDED $10 MILLION TO 200,000 THAT YOU CAN WRITE A CANDIDATE OFF WHO HAS THAT 200,000.

BEING ABLE TO BE IN THE GAME, TO HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO HIRE A STAFF, TO GET YOUR NAME RECOGNITION THROUGH ADS, AROUND EVERY PART OF THE STATE, IS WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT.

AND SO AT LEAST AS THE TOTALS SHAPE UP RIGHT NOW, THEY BOTH HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDING.

>> Jeff: MS. ALSOBROOKS WAS AN EARLY ENDORSER OF THE WES MOORE FOR GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN.

HIS FIRST YEAR IN ELECTED OFFICE WON A NARROW VICTORY IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR BUT BASED ON POLLING I THINK IT WAS A GONZALES POLL PUT HIS POPULARITY WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUENCY AT 78%.

HOW MUCH SWAY IS THAT GOING TO HAVE FOR POTENTIAL VOTERS?

>> WELL, IT WILL BE IMPORTANT AT LEAST ON THE FRONT END OF THE CAMPAIGN.

IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT TO ELECTED LEADERS AND POLITICAL INSIDERS AND THOSE ACTIVISTS PARTS OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY ARE GOING TO BE SIGNALED FROM THE LEADERS THAT BOTH OF THOSE -- BOTH OF THE CANDIDATES LINEUP.

HAVING THE GOVERNOR WHO IS VERY, VERY POPULAR RIGHT NOW IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

THAT CANNOT HURT, TO SAY THE LEAST.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE OTHER THING THAT'S GOING TO MATTER HERE, THEN AFTER THAT, AS THE STAGE GOES ALONG, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO INDEPENDENTS; WHO DON'T VOTE IN THIS CAMPAIGN BUT WHOEVER THE NOMINEE IS WILL NEED THOSE BUT TO GET TO THE RANK-AND-FILE DEMOCRAT VOTERS THE AVERAGE EVERYDAY DEMOCRAT VOTER WHO MAY LEARN ABOUT A CANDIDATE THROUGH THEIR LEADERS WHO ENDORSED OR MAY END UP LEARNING THROUGH CAMPAIGN ADS OR OTHER TOUCHES WITH THE CANDIDATE.

>> Jeff: YOU KNOW, THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE LAST YEAR GOVERNOR MOORE PREVAILED IN THAT BY IT WAS MORE THAN 30-POINT MARGIN OVER HIS REPUBLICAN OPPONENT WHO WAS FROM THE TRUMP WING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THE MARYLAND REPUBLICANS HAVE A SHOT NEXT YEAR AT WINNING SENATOR CAR DEN'S SEAT.

>> IT WILL BE TOUGH.

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE NOT CANDIDATES WITH HIGH ENOUGH NAME RECOGNITION AND YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BE SOMEONE LIKE A LARRY HOGAN WHO CANNOT ONLY -- YOU HAVE TO WIN DEMOCRAT VOTERS AND YOU HAVE TO WIN A HIGH NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT VOTERS TO WIN A STATE THAT IS DEEPLY BLUE AS MARYLAND IS.

LARRY HOGAN AND HIS TEAM WERE MASTERFUL AT BEING ABLE TO BUILD A COALITION OF DEMOCRATS, INDEPENDENTS AND A LARGE PORTION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO BE ABLE TO GET ELECTED TWICE.

SO, BUT, A DEMOCRAT DOESN'T HAVE TO DO THAT.

THEY NEED TO GET ENOUGH OF THE LARGELY DEMOCRAT VOTER BASE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, PLUS SOME INDEPENDENTS AND IF YOU GET A LITTLE BIT OF REPUBLICANS YOU ARE IN.

SO THAT'S WHAT THE CHALLENGE IS EVEN IN THE APPROVAL RATINGS OF GOVERNOR MOORE WHAT IS IMPRESSIVE ABOUT THOSE WAS NOT JUST THAT HE HAD A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF DEMOCRATS, OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY, BUT HAD A RELATIVELY HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THE REPUBLICANS LIKE IN THE 30% RANGE, I THINK FROM THAT POLL.

SO THAT MEANS THE GOVERNOR IS APPEALING TO DEMOCRATS, INDEPENDENTS AND SOME REPUBLICANS, WHICH IS MEANS HE IS SPEAKING TO VOTERS ALL OVER THE STATE.

>> Jeff: GIVE US YOUR PERSPECTIVE SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF BALTIMORE CITY ON THE UPCOMING RACE FOR MAYOR OF BALTIMORE.

WE HAVE BRANDON SCOTT BEING CHALLENGED BY FORMER MAYOR SHEILA DIXON WHO LEADS ACCORDING TO A RECENT GOWCHER POLL.

HOW DO YOU SEE THAT RACE PLAYING OUT?

>> WELL IT IS A REMATCH AND IF YOUR VIEWERS DON'T RECALL, IT WAS A TIGHT RACE.

BRANDON SCOTT DID NOT WIN BY MUCH OVER SHEILA DIXON AND SHEILA DIXON HAS BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF TIME INTRODUCING HERSELF AND REINTRODUCING HERSELF TO VOTERS.

SOME WHO MAY NOT KNOW HER AND OTHERS WHO MAY KNOW HER BY THE REPUTATION HOW SHE DID AS A FORMER MAYOR AND OTHERS THAT KNEW HER FROM HER REPUTATION OF THE INDICTMENT IN THE ETHICAL BRUSHES AS WELL.

ALL OF THAT COME INTO PLAY FOR HER.

BUT YOU HAVE BRANDON SCOTT, WHO IS A STRONG MAYOR IN THE CITY.

BUT IS ALSO FACED WITH SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT POLICY PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES THAT THE CITY HAS SEEN IN A LONGTIME, ESPECIALLY WITH ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMET AND POVERTY AND OTHERS.

AND HIS APPROVAL RATINGS AT LEAST IN THE MOST RECENT POLL THAT CAME OUT FROM THE RATING WERE NOT EXACTLY HIGH.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO DEAN HARTLEY.

>> NOW THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DESIGNATED THE BALTIMORE REGION AS A FEDERAL TECH HUB.

COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAD FILED APPLICATIONS UNDER A NEW PROGRAM RUN BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION.

31 WINNERS WERE CHOSEN.

AND THEY WILL SHARE $10 BILLION IN FEDERAL INVESTMENTS.

WE SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE BID JOHN FOSTER OF PARTNER AND CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER OF FEARLESS.

>> I'VE BEEN TELLING PEOPLE IT IS A COMBINATION OF TWO THINGS; I THINK THAT ANY GOOD IDEA HAS TO HAVE LIKE THAT SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND ULTIMATELY THAT SOURCE OF DIRECTION.

SO FOR THE BALTIMORE REGION, REALLY WHAT I THINK THIS GRANT DOES, IT GIVES EVERYBODY IN THE REGION LIKE THAT NORTH STAR.

HEADED IN THIS DIRECTION WE ALL CAN DECIDE IT SHOULD BE EASIER TO YOU HAD WHAT EXACTLY WE ARE DOING AND WHAT ARE WE NOT DOING.

THAT IS HOW PROGRESS GETS MADE.

THAT IS THE FIRST THING, THE CLEAR DIRECTION.

AND SECONDLY THERE'S FUNDING.

THERE'S ACTUALLY A DOLLAR SIGN% TO MOVE THE NEEDLE FORWARD WHEN IT COMES TO THE INITIATIVES LAID OUT IN THE GRANT.

SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THAT DIRECTION AND FUNDING FOR IT.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DIRECTION FIRST.

I'VE READ THAT IT'S INVOLVES BIOTECH.

I'VE READ ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND PREDICTIVE HEALTH AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

>> SO THE IDEA IF YOU KNOW THE BALTIMORE REGION WE HAVE TREMENDOUS ASSETS WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH, IT, YOU KNOW, HEALTH BIOTECH IT MADE SENSE FOR US TO GO DOWN THIS PATH.

THE IDEA OF ANALYTICS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU SEE ALL OVER THE PLACE IT'S JUST NAMED NOW.

AND THE IDEA HOW DO WE CREATE THE TECHNOLOGIES AND THE BUSINESSES HOW DO WE CREATE THE SYSTEM SO THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND CAN PLAN BETTER FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL HEALTH.

A LOT OF THAT WILL BE DATA-DRIVEN.

A LOT OF THAT IS THE INTEGRATION WITH THE TRADITIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS THAT MOST CONSTITUENTS KNOW ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

THE GIST OF WHAT THAT IS.

>> Jeff: I LOOKED AT GROUPS INVOLVED IN PUTTING THIS BITD TOGETHER AND IT IS A WHO'S WHO OF BIG COMPANIES AND INSTITUTIONS AND NONGOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, HEALTH SYSTEMS, PRETTY IMPRESSIVE BID.

AND YOU GUYS, OF COURSE.

>> YES, CERTAINLY.

IT'S KIND OF COOL TO BE IN THE ROOM WITH THOSE ORGANIZATIONS.

LIKE THE HOPKINS OF THE WORLD.

BUT YOU ALSO HAVE SOME OTHER ENTITIES LIKE WE HAVE HBCUS IN THE ROOM AS WELL.

AND THE REASON I CALL THAT OUT IS BECAUSE PART OF THAT PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS LIKE THAT VISION, IS AROUND NOT JUST HOW DO YOU CREATE THE TECHNOLOGY HOW DO YOU CREATE EQUITABLE TECHNOLOGIES, EQUITABLE PRACTICE SO THAT IS BEEN INTERESTING TO SEE PEOPLE LIKE EYES ILLUMINATE WHEN IT COMES TO THE IDEA OF EQUITY.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

THIS IS CERTAINLY A WIN AND IT'S ON TO PHASE TWO.

>> PHASE ONE IT WAS OUT OF HOW MANY APPLICANTS WERE.

>> Jeff: HUNDREDS, I THINK.

>> DOWN TO 31.

SO NOW PHASE TWO IS AROUND TELLING THE RIGHT STORIES AND PUTTING TOGETHER THE RIGHT PICTURES OF HOW AND WHERE AND WHY YOU USE A FEDERAL DOLLARS TO MOVE SOME OF THE ISSUES FORWARD.

FOR EXAMPLE, HIGHLY INVOLVED MILLION DOLLAR IT ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE RELATED TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT HOW DO YOU CREATE THAT NEW FUTURE WORKFORCE STATE AND ATTRACT BUSINESSES SO THEY PULL INTO THAT STREAM OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

SO, YEAH, MULTIPLE THINGS HAPPENING IN THE SPACE, TOO.

>> Jeff: I READ YOU ARE PLANNING TO INCUBATE 25 MINORITY-OWNED A A. I.

COMPANIES AND TRAIN 50 UNDERREPRESENTED WORKERS.

IS THAT PART OF THE TECH HUB PROGRAM?

>> IT IS.

SO BECAUSE THE CONSORTIUM IS A CONGLOMERATION OF MULTIPLE ENTITIES.

EVERYBODY HAS THE IDEA HOW THEY WANT TO CONTRIBUTE.

ONCE AGAIN TO THAT NORTH STAR VISION.

THAT'S HOW YOU GET THE ALIGNMENT.

FOR FEARLESS, THE THINGS THAT ARE MOST INTERESTING TO US IS THE IDEA OF HOW DO WE CREATE THE CONDITIONS, RIGHT, TO CREATE NEW TALENT IN THIS A. I.

SPACE AND THAT TALENT COMES FROM THE FORM OF INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES.

THE INCUBATION OF NEW COMPANIES AND THE UPSCALING OF INDIVIDUALS.

>> Jeff: THE HOLY GRAIL IS SILICON VALLEY AND FOR DECADES AND DECADES THE NORTH STAR THERE, I GUESS IT WAS THE COMBINATION OF STANFORD UNIVERSITY AND STUDENTS AND Mr. HEWLETT AND Mr. PACKARD AND THEIR FAMOUS GARAGE.

DO WE HAVE THE ELEMENTS TO HARNESS THAT SAME THING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK I'VE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR YEARS.

THE GREATER BALTIMORE REGION CERTAINLY HAS RICH, RICH ASSETS THAT GO DEEP INTO THE REGION'S HISTORY.

I THINK THE THING THAT WAS MISSING AND ANOTHER REASON I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND I WILL KEEP SAYING IT IT'S THE ALIGNMENT TO THE VISION.

THE ALIGNMENT TO THE PURPOSE.

ONCE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT WHY THAT IS IN THEM.

HOW DO WE THOUGH THAT WE'RE WINNING?

I THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO LEVERAGE THE RICH ASSETS TO GET TO THESE OUTCOMES.

>> Jeff: GIVE ME SOME ADVICE FOR I AYOUNG PERSON, SOMEBODY WHO IS INTERESTED IN TECH MAYBE INTERESTED IN HEALTH, THEY WANT TO RIDE THIS WAVE THAT'S COMING.

HOW DO THEY DO THAT?

>> I THINK MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF A STORY BEHIND ME SOME.

I GREW UP IN WEST PHILADELPHIA.

PARENTS DID NOT HAVE A LOST MONEY.

REALLY EXCITED WHEN MY DAD WALKED IN THE DOOR WITH AN APPLE 2C.

THAT IS HOW OLD I AM.

AND SO WHAT HE TOLD ME WAS JUST GO TINKER.

PLAY ON THE COMPUTER, GO SEE WHAT YOU CAN FIND OUT ABOUT IT.

AND ITH I THAT SPARKED AN INTEREST IN ME AT A YOUNG AGE WHEN IT COMES TO TECHNOLOGY.

AND I THINK THAT IS THE SAME THING ADVICE TO YOUNG FOLKS.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT ALL I LOVE THE NEW ADVANCES COMING TO CHATURVEDI.

THAT STUFF IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO PLAY, UNDERSTAND, MANIPULATE INTO YOUR OWN OUTCOMES AND OWN IDEAS.

JUST GO EXPLORE THAT IS THE FIRST THING I WOULD SAY.

>> Jeff: WHEN WE THINK ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE IT SOMEHOW HIT CRITICAL MASS THIS YEAR.

IT SEEMS LIKE.

YOU ARE IN THE BUSINESS YOU PROBABLY WERE PAYING ATTENTION BEFORE NOW.

SO WHAT DEGREE TO PEOPLE LOOK AT IT WITH A MIX OF LIKE A WOW FACTOR AND THERE'S ALSO LIKE THIS LITTLE SCARY UNDER TONE.

>> THE WAY I TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT IT IT'S THE RIGHT BALANCE.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT ANY ADVANCEMENT THAT HAPPENED IN SOCIETY IT'S ALWAYS THE FEAR THAT COMES BEFORE THE PROGRESS.

AND SO YES WE SHOULD BE FEARFUL OF NEW TOOLS AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO COLLECTIVELY EDUCATE OUR LEGISLATURES ABOUT THIS.

AND I NEED TO EDUCATE MY PARENTS ABOUT THIS.

THE GAMUT OF ALL THOSE THINGS.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO JOHN FOSTER OF FEARLESS.

AND NOW WITH OUR SALUTE TO VETERANS HERE IS NANCY AMATTA.

>> THIS IS NOT A GAME.

YOU CANNOT PLAY WITH YOUR LIFE.

>> Reporter: IN LARRY JAMES SEEMS SERIOUS IT'S BECAUSE IS ABOUT GETTING SOBER AND TURNING HIS LIFE AROUND.

HE IS APPLYING FOR HOUSING WITH THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AT THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE AND REFERRAL CENTER IN BALTIMORE.

>> AND I KNOW THAT I CAN DO THIS.

I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS.

YOU GOT TO REALLY WANT TO STAY SOBER AND CLEAN AND DO THE RIGHT THING.

YOU HAVE TO WANT IT.

>> Reporter: LOCATED A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE V.A.

IN BALTIMORE, THE CCRC IS THE PLACE FOR VETERANS TO TURN TO WHEN THEY NEED A HELPING HAND.

>> WE WILL ASSESS THEM AND TRY TO GET THEM HOUSING SAME DAY SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE ON THE STREET.

>> COORDINATOR SAYS BY THE TIME A VETERAN WALKS IN THEY ARE READY TO ACCEPT HELP.

SHE HOPES TO REACH OUT TO THOSE WHO FEEL UNWORTHY TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE U EVERYONE NEEDS HELP WITH SOMETHING IN THEIR LIFE.

THE SHAME IS HAVING IT AVAILABLE AND NOT TAPPING INTO SOMETHING YOU LITERALLY DESERVE.

EVERY SERVICE THAT WE PROVIDE THEY'VE EARNED IT THEY DESERVE IT.

>> Reporter: VETERANS WHO TURN TO THE CRRC CAN STOP BY TO SHOWER, DO LAUNDRY OR GET CLOTHES AND PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS THERE'S BUSINESS ATTIRE FOR INTERVIEWS AND CLOTHES FOR KIDS.

>> IT IS A DIGNITY THING.

IN SOCIETY SOMETIMES WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU GET.

SO WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE THAT IS STRUGGLING THE IDEA IS THEIR APPEARANCE MEANS A LOT.

NOT ONLY THAT WHEN YOU'VE BEEN IN THE STREET YOU FEEL SO MUCH BETTER WHEN YOU CAN TAKE A SHOWER AND YOU CAN CHANGE INTO CLEAN CLOTHES AND IT GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER AND NOT BE JUDGED BY YOUR APPEARANCE.

>> Reporter: VETERANS EXPERIENCING FOOT INSECURITY CAN STOP BY AND GET FOOD ITEMS AND FROZEN FOOD.

>> BETWEEN INFLATION, THE PANDEMIC REALLY CAUSED A GREAT DISTURBANCE IN NEED.

YOU HAVE VETERANS THAT WERE MORE STABLE AND NOW THEY ARE NOT.

SO THE NEEDS ARE INCREASING IN OUR SOCIETY.

>> Reporter: BEYOND THAT, BIRCH WANTS ALL VETERANS TO KNOW THE CRRC IS READY TO HELP ANYONE WHO NEEDS HELP BEYOND THEIR FOUR WALLS.

>> SOMETIMES A VETERANS MAY HAVE SUBSTANCE USE CHALLENGES OR MEDICAL CHALLENGES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DEALT WITH YET.

SOMETIMES THERE'S AN EMPLOYMENT ISSUE.

A VETERAN HAD STABLE EMPLOYMENT, HAD STABLE INCOME.

AND THEN SOMETHING HAPPENED THAT TOOK THAT AWAY.

>> Reporter: AS FOR JAMES.

>> SIX MONTHS I PLAN ON BEING HOME WITH MY WIFE TAKING CARE OF HER NOT DRINKING ANYMORE.

>> Reporter: HE FEELS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE.

I'M NANCY AMATTA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: AND JOINING US FOR THE AARP CONSUMER ALERT IS KAREN MORGAN, MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF AARP.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU'RE HERE TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT MEDICARE.

>> YES, I AM.

EVERYTHING.

IT'S REALLY COMPLICATED.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS THAT TRIP PEOPLE UP?

>> WELL, WHEN TO APPLY BECAUSE YOU NEED TO APPLY WHEN YOU TURN 65 BUT YOU HAVE THREE MONTHS BEFORE YOUR 65TH BIRTHDAY AND UP TO THREE MONTHS AFTER THE 65TH BIRTHDAY TO BE CONSIDERED AN ON TIME APPLICANT FOR MEDICARE.

IF YOU APPLY AFTER THAT, THEN YOU RUN THE RISK OF BEING PENALIZED IN TERMS OF YOUR MEDICARE PREMIUM YOU WANT TO BE ON TIME FOR THAT.

>> Jeff: WE WERE TALKING ABOUT MEDICARE BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD.

DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING AFFIRMATIVELY NEED TO DO SOMETHING DURING OPEN ENROLL MANY OR IF YOU ARE HAPPY CAN YOU IGNORE THIS?

>> WELL, IT'S COMPLICATED.

>> Jeff: SHOCKING.

>> IF YOU ARE IN TRADITIONAL MEDICARE ALREADY AND YOU ARE HAPPY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.

IF YOU'RE IN A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN AND YOU ARE HAPPY WITH THAT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING BUT YOU SHOULD CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ADVANTAGE PLAN IS STILL THE SAME ONE THAT IS BEING OFFERED IN THE CURRENT COMING ENROLLMENT YEAR THAT BEGINS ON JANUARY 1.

IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE FROM ONE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN TO ANOTHER, THEN, YES, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

OUR ADVICE IS TO REVIEW WHAT YOUR PLAN IS EVERY YEAR WHETHER YOU THINK YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING OR NOT.

VERIFY THAT YOU DON'T OR GET ON TOP OF IT IF YOU DO NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

>> Jeff: MEDICARE IS IMPORTANT FOR SO MANY PEOPLE RETIRED PEOPLE AND PEOPLE WITH CERTAIN CONDITIONS I BELIEVE.

OR PERHAPS THAT IS MEDICAID, WHICH EVERYBODY GETS CONFUSED.

>> MEDICAID IS NEEDS TESTED.

IF YOU ARE AT THE POVERTY LEVEL OR BELOW THEN YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID.

MEDICARE IS FOR PEOPLE 65 AND OLDER.

>> Jeff: IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS MEDICARE PART A AND MEDICARE PART B AND NOW THERE'S MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND PART D FOR DRUGS.

HELP US SORT THIS OUT.

>> OK.

THERE'S STILL MEDICARE PART A REFERRING TO HOSPITALIZATION.

AND WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR MEDICARE, YOU GET YOU SIGN UP FOR PART A.

AND YOU GENERALLY SIGN UP FOR PART B.

YOU HAVE TO SIGN UP FOR PART B.

PART A IS HOSPITALIZATION.

PART B IS DOCTORS VISITS OR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.

SO YOU SIGN UP FOR THAT.

MEDICARE PART C IS WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN THOSE PLANS YOU SEE ADVERTISED ON TV A LOT FROM PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

THAT'S MEDICARE PART C. MEDICARE PART D IS PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE HOSPITALIZATION AND OUTPATIENT VISITS OR DOCTORS' VISITS YOU NEED TO SIGN UP FOR MEDICARE FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE IF YOU WANT THAT.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS THAT'S HAPPENING WITH MEDICARE CONCERNS COPAYS FOR INSULIN.

TELL BUS THAT.

>> THAT IS EXCELLENT NEWS.

IN THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT PASSED IN 2022, ONE OF THE PROVISIONS SETS OR CAPS THE COST FOR INSULIN AT $THREE 5 A MONTH.

AND BEFORE IT WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

IT WAS WHATEVER YOUR PARTICULAR PROVIDER WANTED TO CHARGE.

AND SO PEOPLE COULD HAVE FAIRLY STEEP COPAYS FOR INSULIN.

NOW, IT'S LIMITED TO $35 A MONTH AND IT'S REALLY GREAT NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED INSULIN.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF DOING A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN?

THEY MARKET IT AS MAYBE BEING MORE COMPREHENSIVE, BUT THERE MAYBE GOING TO LIMIT YOUR CHOICE OF PROVIDERS A LITTLE BIT?

>> THEY MAY, YES.

SO THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE.

MEDICARE TRADITIONAL MEDICARE THE VAST MAJORITY OF DOCTORS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE IN MEDICARE EXCEPT MEDICARE AS INSURANCE.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROVIDERS CAN LIMIT YOUR CHOICES BY WHERE YOU LIVE OR THROUGH OTHER FACTORS.

SO BY THE SERVICES THAT YOU WANT OR THAT SORT OF THING.

SO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MAY OFFER SOME THINGS THAT YOU DON'T GET WITH TRADITIONAL MEDICARE, FOR EXAMPLE HEARING OR DENTAL OR EYE, BUT YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE OTHER THINGS WITH MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.

FOR EXAMPLE YOU MAYBE REQUIRED TO GET A REFERRAL FOR A SPECIALIST.

UNDER TRADITIONAL MEDICARE YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO GET A REFERRAL IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF INSTANCES.

SO AND THEN LIKE I SAID YOUR SERVICE PLAN CAN DICTATE WHAT YOU ARE PAYING IN TERMS OF PREMIUMS AND IT CAN CHANGE FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE THE BEST SOURCES FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS IMPARTIAL ADVICE?

>> THE BEST SOURCE IS WHAT WE CALL SHIP.

AND THAT STAND FOR THE STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

AND IT'S STAFFED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAINED TO GIVE YOU ABSOLUTELY OBJECTIVE ADVICE ABOUT WHAT TO DO.

DO YOU WANT TRADITIONAL MEDICARE?

DOES MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MAKE MORE SENSE FOR YOU?

SHOULD YOU HAVE A SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN?

THEY CAN HELP YOU WITH ALL OF THAT.

>> Jeff: THE OTHER THING HAPPENING WITH MEDICARE IS THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BEGIN NEGOTIATING FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH THE BIG DRUG COMPANIES ON THE PRICING OF CERTAIN DRUGS.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SEE THAT IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO BUT EVENTUALLY.

>> EVENTUALLY.

AND AGAIN THAT WAS ANOTHER PROVISION THAT AARP WORKED SO HARD ON IN THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT PASSED LAST YEAR.

YEAH, PEOPLE MAY BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE VOLUME PRICING DISCOUNTS WITH MAJOR DRUGMAKERS.

THEY HAD TO ACCEPT THE PRICE THAT WAS OFFERED.

SO NOW UNDER THIS PROVISION THEY CAN NEGOTIATE THOSE VOLUME DISCOUNTS AND MAYBE BRING THE COSTS DOWN.

AND THIS APPLIES TO SINGLE SOURCED DRUGS AND A LOT ARE ADVERTISED ON TELEVISION I'M NOT GOING TO NAME THEM BUT A NUMBER OF THEM ARE WELL-KNOWN.

BUT THEY CAN COST A LOT OF MONEY ON A -- ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE TO KEEP TAKING THEM OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR OR TWO.

IT CAN BE HUGE IMPACT ON YOUR BUDGET.

>> Jeff: OPEN ENROLLMENT ENDS DECEMBER 7.

PEOPLE MEANING ME, TEND TO PROCRASTINATE STUFF LIKE THIS BUT THIS IS NOT ONE TO START THINK BEING ON DECEMBER 6?

>> NO, NOT UNLESS YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING AND EVEN THEN IT'S LATE TO THINK ABOUT IT.

>> Jeff: KAREN MORGAN IS A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF AARP MARYLAND.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, THANK YOU.

>> I APPRECIATE IT, TOO, THANK YOU, JEFF.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".