"DIRECT CONNECTION" IS MADE BY MPT TO SERVE ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "DIRECT CONNECTION."

YOU HAVE HEARD THE EXPRESSION YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.

WELL, TONIGHT A NEW BOOK IS ADDING TO THAT OLD WISDOM.

WE SPOKE WITH MARY BETH ALBRIGHT, AUTHOR OF "EAT & FLOURISH, HOW FOOD SUPPORTS EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING."

MARY BETH, IT'S RATE TO HAVE YOU BACK ON MPT.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW IT LED TO THIS BOOK.

>> Mary Beth Albright: JEFF, I ALWAYS LOVE BOOING HERE WITH YOU.

SO ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO I WAS AT THE UNITED STATES SURGEON GENERAL'S OFFICE AND A JOURNAL ARTICLE PASSED ACROSS MY DESK HA WAS ABOUT FOOD AND HOW IT COULD ADJUST AGGRESSION LEVELS IN JUNG YOUNG MEN AND SPECIFICALLY ABOUT OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS, AND THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD REALLY EVER SEEN PEER-REVIEWED HARD EVIDENCE IN A JOURNAL ABOUT THE FOOD-MOOD CONNECTION.

WE'VE ALL KNOWN THIS ANECDOTALLY OUR WHOLE LIVES, THAT FOOD CAN MAKE US FEEL GREAT OR FOOD CAN MAKE US FEEL TERRIBLE AND THAT SORT OF THING, BUT THE CONNECTION.

THE EVIDENCE AND THE PEER REVIEW REALLY TURNED ME ON TO THIS IDEA THAT FOOD AND MOOD COULD BE ENTWINED.

AND THEN I JUST STARTED GOING FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS, I JUST KEPT UP WITH THE RESEARCH, AND THE RESEARCH AT THE SAME TIME WAS EXPLODING.

SO IT ALL CAME TOGETHER IN THIS BOOK.

>> Jeff: SO WHAT HAS EXPLODED IN TERMS OF OUR KNOWLEDGE OF HOW FOOD CAN AFFECT YOUR MOOD?

>> Mary Beth Albright: OH, GOSH SO MUCH.

WE KNOW NOW THAT FOOD AND MOOD ARE ENTWINED BIKE LIKE VINES AND WE CAN EITHER GET TO KNOW THIS CONNECTION AND MAKES FRIENDS ABOUT IT WITH IT AND FIND OUT AND AND OUR BODIES OR WE CAN DENY AND IT SAY I'M NOT AN EMOTIONAL EATER.

I'M ONLY GOING TO EAT ARE FOR FUEL AND THAT SORT OF THING.

OUR BIOLOGY HAS MADE SURE THAT FOOD IS A PLEASURABLE PROCESS FOR US, AND THAT'S BECAUSE BIOLOGICALLY WE NEED TO EAT, AND EVOLUTION GAVE US ALL OF THE CUES THAT WE NEED TODAY EVOLVE TO THIS PLACE WHERE, YOU KNOW, FOOD IS ABUNDANT AND WE -- AND WE HAVE MOTIVATION TO FIND IT.

>> Jeff: DID OUR BIOLOGY NOT PREPARE US WELL FOR AN ERA OF ABUNDANCE, AT LEAST FOR MOST PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES YOU CAN GET TO A STORE AND HAVE A MILLION CHOICES, SOME OF THEM GOOD FOUR, SOME OF THEM NOT.

>> Mary Beth Albright: YEAH, AND MAY LOT OF WAYS WE SEE THAT OUR MODERN WORLD IS AN EVOLUTIONARY MISMATCH WITH OUR BODIES, RIGHT?

AND ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE SEE THAT IS WITH FOOD, THAT WE HAVE SO MANY PROCESSES, BIOLOGICAL PROCESS IN OUR BODIES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE EAT ENOUGH FOOD, AND IT'S NOT ADJUSTED WELL TO A PLACE WHERE, AS YOU SAID, YOU CAN WALK INTO A GROCERY STORE AND THERE ARE 100 DIFFERENT KIND OF CHEESE JUST ON ONE WALL.

NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT THE GOURMET CHEESE ON THE OTHER WALL.

SO WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO DO AND WHAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US IS TO FIND A WHY BECAUSE THE BEST FOODS FOR EATING FOR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND MENTAL HEALTH ARE A LOT OF THE FOODS YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD ABOUT, FATTY FISH, WHOLE GRAINS, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE FANTASTIC FOR YOU.

FOR ME IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR A DIFFERENT WHY, THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENT MOTIVATION THAT WE SEE MEASURABLY, THAT WHEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE CLINICAL DEPRESSION OR AVENUING ANXIETY DISORDER START EATING MORE TOWARDS THE FOODS THAT I JUST SAID, MORE TOWARDS A MEDITERRANEAN DIET OR SOME PEOPLE THINK ABOUT IT AS AN OKOYE NAH WAUGHN DIET FROM JAPAN, THAT DEPRESSION SYSTEMS GO INTO REMISSION.

THERE ARE ANIMAL STUDIES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE THAT SHOW THAT MICE RACQUET TO SOME HELPFUL MY MICROBES, BEARKT THAT WE EAT FOUND IN JOERGER THE AND KEFIR AND IS OUR CROT, THAT THESE CAN HAVE AN EQUAL TO THE ANTIDEPRESS ONTO LEXIPRO.

I'M NOT SUGGESTING ANYONE THROW AWAY THEIR LEXIPRO OR STOP SEEING THEIR THERAPIES.

FOOD IS A TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX, AND WE NEED AS MANY TOOLS AS WE CAN GET NOW BECAUSE WE'RE IN THIS EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

>> Jeff: WHEN SOMEBODY HEARS SOMEONE SAY "EAT YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES," WE ALL FLASHBACK TO BEING TWO-YEAR-OLD PICKY EATERS AND NOT WANTING TO DO IT, AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A TURNOFF.

I THINK THERE'S A LECTURE COMING AND IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE A TOM BRADY SUPPLEMENTS KIND OF PITCH.

>> Mileah Kromer: YEAH, NO.

I KNOW IT UD SOUNDS LIKE THAT AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT NEW RESEARCH ABOUT THE GUT MICROBIOME AND YOU START TALKING ABOUT BENEFICIAL BY OHMS IT SOUNDS LIKE I'M TRUE TO SELL YOU SOMEBODY.

WHOA.

GET THIS SUPPLEMENT FORELY HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH AND YOU'LL BE FINE.

IT'S NOT THAT.

IT'S JUST EATING BETTER.

IT'S GOING TOWARDS THESE FOODS THAT ARE GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR OUR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, AND WHEN YOU SAY IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WHAT YOU JUST SAID ABOUT YOU DON'T WANT IT TO SOUND LIKE A LECTURE BECAUSE THE ENTIRE FIRST CHAPTER IS ALL ABOUT PLEASURE RESEARCH AND FOOD PLEASURE RESEARCH BECAUSE PLEASURE IS A FORM OF SUSTENANCE.

PLEASURE IS A FORM OF NOURISHMENT THAT IS VITAL FOR OUR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND MENTAL HEALTH.

I MEAN, A LOT OF PEOPLE, YOU CAN JUST TELL ME ME ANECDOTALLY SOMETIMES, AS I SAID, REGARDLESS OF MICROBES YOU JUST FEEL BETTER WHEN YOU EAT SOMETHING, AND THAT'S PART OF IT.

THAT'S PART OF THE RESEARCH BECAUSE WHEN I WENT WHAT I WENT INTO IS A LOT OF THE NEUROSCIENCE BEHIND HOW OUR BRAIN CREATES FLAVOR BECAUSE FLAVOR -- TASTE IS ON THE TONGUE.

WE KNOW THAT, RIGHT?

IT'S A BASIC -- THE FIVE BASICKY TASTES.

BUT FLAVOR IS CREATED IN OUR BRAINS, AND SO EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR BRAINS GOES INTO THAT FLAVOR.

SO WHAT MUSIC WE'RE LISTENING TO.

THERE'S A LOFTY -- THERE'S A LOT OF RESEARCH THAT, FOR EXAMPLE WITH IF YOU'RE DRINKING A WHISKEY IT WILL TASTE GRASSIER IF YOU'RE LISTENING TO SOWRCHEDZ BIRDS CHIRPING AND LAWNMOWERS BUT IF YOU'RE UNDER EVER LINK TO A CRACKY WOOD FIRE THAT WHISKEY WILL TASTE SMOKIER.

WE KNOW THAT OUR EARS, OUR EYES, OUR SENSE OF TOUCH, THE MOUTH FEEL ALL GOES INTO OUR BRAINS CREATE FLAVOR, SO WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THAT EQUALLIY AS KNOWING ABOUT NUTRIENTS AND THE GUT MICROBIOME AND INFLAMMATION.

>> Jeff: THAT'S CRAZY RESEARCH.

SO BAD FOOD OUGHT TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY GOOD MUSIC.

>> Mary Beth Albright: WELL, INTERESTING.

YEAH.

THERE ARE -- WE TEACH OURSELVES HOW TO EVERT SINGLE DAY.

WE TALK ABOUT FOOD MEMORIES FROM WHEN WE'RE A CHILD, AND CEEND DEEN THOSE ARE REALLY STRONG.

SOME PEOPLE REALLY LOVE OREOS BECAUSE THEY REMEMBER THEIR PARENTS GAIFG THEM OREOS AT THE END OF THE GAY BUT THEY'RE CREATING FOOD MEMORIES EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THE THE SCIENCE OF EATING IN A GROUP, EATING COMMUNALLY IS WHAT I CALL THE FACE PARADOX, THAT WHEN YOU -- WE OFTEN ASSOCIATE IN OUR MINDS EATING WITH OTHER PEOPLE, EATING MORE FOOD, AND THAT IS TRUE, THAT SCIENCE SHOWS THAT WHEN WE EAT IN GROUPS, WE EAT MORE FOOD BUT WE ENJOY BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES.

SO THAT KIND OF IDEA BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU HEAR ALL THIS STUFF LIKE CUT CALORIES IS LIVE FOR AN EXTRA 50 YEARS.

THAT IS NOT THE SCIENCE THAT THE FEAST PARADOX SHOWS.

SO IF WE CAN TAP INTO WHATEVER THAT IS, THAT FOOD GIVES US, THAT GIVES US A SENSE OF PURPOSE, THAT GIVES US A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, THAT CAN ACTUALLY ADD TO OUR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND OUR LONGEVITY.

THAT'S WHAT THE BOOK TRIES TO DO.

>> Jeff: YOU EVER A CHAPTER ON EMOTIONAL EATING WHICH I THINK OF AS IF I'M HAVING A BAD DAY, I'M GOING TO STOP IN DUNKIN' DONUTS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN BE IN A GOOD MOOD.

HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT TOPIC?

>> Mary Beth Albright: WELL, I THINK OF EMOTIONAL EATING, WE OFTEN THINK ABOUT THAT, THAT EMOTIONAL EATING MEANS THAT WE GO FOR THINGS THAT ARE NOT GOOD FOR OUR HEALTH, LIKE WE GO NO INTO A DUNKIN' DONUTS, RIGHT?

ALL EATING IS EMOTIONAL EATING BECAUSE THERE ARE BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES THAT HAPPEN WHEN YOU EAT ANYTHING.

IF I EAT A CARROT STICK OR IF I EAT A DOUGHNUT, THERE ARE PROCESSES THAT MY BODY GOES THROUGH TO DIGEST THOSE THINGS.

ONE OF THEM THAT HAPPENS IS THAT OUR BODIES RELEASE DOPAMINE WHENEVER WE EAT ANYTHING, AND SO THAT DOPAMINE CAN HELP WITH BONDING.

I'LL GO BACK TO EATING WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

IF YOU GET THAT DOPAMINE HIT WHILE YOU'RE WITH OTHER PEOPLE, YOU'RE CREATING THAT NEW FOOD MEMORY.

YOU'RE CREATING A GOOD FEELING AROUND WHAT YOU'RE EATING AS OOH POSED TO IF YOU'RE EATING SOMETHING AND YOU'RE EATING IN FRONT OF THE TV, YOU'RE BONDING WITH YOUR TSKS TELEVISION MORE THAN YOU'RE BONDING WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHICH IS NOT TO PATHOLOGIZE EETDING ALONE.

I DO IT SOMETIMES AND I REALLY LOVE IT.

BUT EVER SINCE I'VE BEGUN DONE THE RESEARCH I'VE LOOKED FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO EAT WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND I REALLY DEPONENT EAT AT MY DESK ANYMORE.

>> Jeff: LET'S GET TO THE TAKEAWAY HERE.

HAVING DONE THIS RESEARCH, WHAT YOU ARE PERSONALLY DOING DIFFERENTLY?

WHAT DO YOU ADVISE THAT PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY IN THEIR LIVES WHEN A LOT OF THE RESEARCH, YOU KNOW, STILL IN ITS INFANCY?

>> >> Mary Beth Albright: I HAVE A KID.

I HAVE A JOB.

EE SO ALL OF THIS RESEARCH WAS GREAT AND I WANTED TO PUT IT TOGETHER INTO SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE COULD USE.

SO THE LAST CHAPTER OF THE BOOK IS -- THE LAST CHAPTER OF BOOK IS A 30-DAY PLAN TO IMPLEMENT THE SCIENCE, AND IT'S IN THE A 30-DAY PLAN LIKE, THROW AWAY ALL YOUR SUGAR, WHICH IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT BE MY GUEST.

>> Jeff: YOU WON'T SELL ANY BOOKS THAT WAY, BY THE WAY.

>> Mary Beth Albright: PEOPLE JUST DON'T DO IT.

WE LOVE TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO, AND IT'S VERY EXTREME STUFF BUT THEN WE JUST DO NOT DO IT.

>> Jeff: INTERESTING.

>> Mary Beth Albright: SO I WANTED TO PUTTED TOGETHER SOMETHING THAT WAS BOTH EVIDENCE-BASED AND REALITY BASED AND SO THERE ARE THINGS IN THERE LIKE ADD FERMENTED FOODS TO YOUR DIET BECAUSE THOSE -- FERMENTED FOODS YOGURT, SOME COTTAGE CHEESES ARE FERMENTED, VEGETABLES ARE FERMENTED, FERMENTED VEGETABLES ARE FERMENTED.

SO GETTING THAT KIND OF FOOD WILL HELP WHAT IS CALLED THE GUT MICROBIOME WHICH IS ALL MICROBES THAT ARE LIVING BETWEEN YOUR MOUTH ALL THE WAY TO THE OTHER END OF YOUR DIGESTIVE TRACTOR, AND THERE'S A -- TRACT, AND THERE'S A LOT OF EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS WHAT HAPPENS IN THE MICROBIOME IS HUGELY BENEFICIAL TO OUR MENTAL HEALTH.

SO EATING FERMENTED FOODS ONCE A WEEK, TRY TO INCORPORATE THAT.

ITES TIPS LIKE THAT.

TIPS USING HEAVIER CUTLERY BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF NEUROSCIENCE IF YOU EAT THE SAME DISH ONE WITH LIGHTER CUTLERY AND ONE WITH HEAVIER CUTLER WELL THE ONE WITH HEAVIER CUTLERY WILL HAVE BETTER FLAVOR IN YOUR BRAIN.

IT'S JUST THESE THINGS THAT WE DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND AND WE WON'T IN ANYONE'S LIFETIME WHO IS LISTENING TO THIS BECAUSE THE BRAIN IS A COMPLICATED PLACE, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT IT HAPPENS AND WE CAN USE IT RIGHT NOW FOR OUR ADVANTAGE.

>> Jeff: THIS SOUNDS LIKE IT WOULD MAKE AN EXCELLENT BOOK TO HAVE IN ADVANCE OF YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS.

>> Mary Beth Albright: YEAH, AND ACTUALLY I'M VERY MUCH AGAINST -- THE BOOK IS NOT ANYTHING ABOUT WEIGHT BECAUSE ALL OF THE SCIENCE -- THIS BOOK IS ENTIRELY EVIDENCE OF HAD BASED, AND ALL OF THE SCIENCE SHOWS THAT ALL OF THE BENEFITS OF EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND MENTAL HEALTH AND FOOD ARE DONE INDEPENDENT OF WEIGHT.

SO THAT TO ME WAS AN EXTREMELY FREEING MESSAGE, THAT IT WAS LIKE, OH, I HAVE A TOTALLY -- [INDECIPHERABLE] WHICH I I WANT TO LIVE BETTER, I WANT TO BE MY BEST SELF, AND THAT'S WHY I'M EATING THIS WAY, AND THAT'S REALLY TO ME THE WHY IS EVERYTHING.

>> Jeff: AND AS MUCH AS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE BIOME, THE INTERESTING RESEARCH BEING DONE ON MICE, WE'VE TALKED TO RESEARCHERS IN THIS FIELD, AND THEY'VE SAID IT'S JUST TOO EARLY TO RECOMMEND A SPECIFIC GROUP OF PROBIOTICS OR ORGANISMS THAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR YOWG EFFORT.

DO YOU SEE -- I DON'T GO YOGURT.

DO I SEE THAT THE SAME WAY?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S WHY THE ONLY THING I CAN POSSIBLY PROMOTE IS FOOD.

I'M NOT HERE TO PROMOTE PRE-BOT K OR PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS.

THE SYSTEM IS PERFECT.

WE'RE JUST NOT USING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE GUT MICROBIOME BUT WE DO KNOW WHAT IMIMPROVEMENTS IT IS FOR MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES, AND SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS TO DO.

YOU JUST -- EVER SINGLE RESEARCHER WHO I TALKED TO SAID IN OUR LIFETIMES TIMES THERE WILL NOT BE A PILL FOR THIS, SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS JUST USE THE SYSTEM THAT WE WERE GIVEN AT BIRTH, THE FOOD SYSTEM, THE ABUNDANCE OF THE FOOD SYSTEM, AND USE IT TO OUR ADVANTAGE.

THERE'S JUST -- THERE ARE A LOT OF LABS OUT THERE, PARTICULARLY IN THE UNITED STATES, LOOKING FOR THE ONE -- THE ONE MICROBE, THE ONE BACTERIA THAT'S GOING TO MAKE EVERYBODY WELL, AND EVERYBODY LOSE WEIGHT AND THAT KIND OF THING, AND THAT'S JUST NOT -- THAT'S JUST NOT HOW IT OPERATES.

THE HUMAN BODY IS A SYSTEM, AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT HAVING ONE MICROBE TO RULE THEM ALL.

>> Jeff: WHEN WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TO YOU IN THE PAST, IT'S BEEN AS A FOODY EXPERT, PUTTING ON FABULOUS HOLIDAY DINNERS.

BEFORE BEING, I'M CURIOUS IF YOUR HOLIDAY DINNERS HAVE CHANGED AT ALL AS A RESULT OF YOUR RESEARCH.

IS THE HOLIDAY HAM ACCOMPANIED BY A NICE GLASS OF KOMBUCHA THIS YEAR?

>> Mary Beth Albright: JUST TONS OF VEGETABLES.

THERE'S VEGETABLE EVERYWHERE.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF VEGETABLES AS, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT TO -- IF YOU WANT TO BE VIRTUOUS, YOU HAVE TO JUST STEAM THEM ANDET THEN YOU EAT THEM LIKE THAT OR BOIL THEM, THAT KIVON THING.

I HAVE VEGETABLES ALL OVER THE PLACE, AND THEY'RE PREPARED IN ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF WAYS BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT EATING THAT VEGETABLE AND IN THAT MOMENT WITH THAT PLEASURE.

IT'S ALSO ASSOCIATING VEGETABLES WITH FUTURE HOLIDAY MEALS.

AS I SAID, THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS NOT A ONE DAY FIX.

IT IS A LIFELONG JOURNEY OF US CREATING OUR OWN COMFORT FOODS, AND I TALKED A LOT TO PHYLLIS RICHMOND WHO YOU MAY REMEMBER WAS FOR DECADES THE RESTAURANT CRITIC AT THE WASHINGTON POST WHERE I WORK, AND SHE IS THE PERSON WHO IS CREDITED IN THE DICTIONARY FOR CREATING THE TERM "COMFORT FOOD."

KENTUCKY AND AND SO I REALLY THINK THAT THE IDEA OF COMFORT FOOD IS REALLY COMPELLING AND WE CREATE OUR OWN COMFORT FOODS EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING, PUTTING SPREBLTION EVERYWHERE.

I'M NOT TAKING ANYTHING AWAY FROM THE TABLE.

>> Jim: MARY BETH ALBRIGHT'S NEW BOOK IS EAT AND FLOURISH, HOW FOOD SUPPORTS EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

NOW, THE CLOCK IS TING ON THE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR WHAT IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE OBAMACARE HEALTH PLANS.

WE RECENTLY SPOKE WITH MITCHELL MITCHELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE.

>> Michelle Eberle: WE'RE EXCITED TO SPREAD THE WORD OF WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR MARYLANDERS IN 2023.

AS YOU KNOW MARYLAND HEALTH CONNECTION IS THE PLACE TO GO IN QUREIA PURCHASING INSURANCE ON YOUR OWN, YOU DO NOT GET IT THROUGH YOUR EMPLOYER AND YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO OFFER COVERAGE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

WHAT WE HAVE THIS YEAR IS A CONTINUATION OF THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH PLANS THAT WE HAVE HAD FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

SO FORTUNATELY THE REINSURANCE PROGRAM, WHICH IS THE STATE COMMITTED TO YEFERL YEARS AGO, REMAINS -- SEARLE YEARS AGO -- SEVERAL YEARS AGO REMAINS.

FORTUNATELY THROUGH THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT WE HAVE AN EXTENSION THREE YEARS FOR THE EXPANDED TAX CREDITS WHICH HELPED ABOUT 45,000 MARYLANDERS GET AFFORDABLE COVERAGE.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THIS YEAR THE YOUNG ADULT SUBSIDY PROGRAM WHICH ADDS AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR INDIVIDUALS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 34.

SO HEALTH PLANS, QUALITY HEALTH PLANS ARE STILL AFFORDABLE THIS YEAR.

>> Jeff: IF SOMEBODY HAS A CURRENT PLAN FOR THE 2022 YEAR AND THEY LIKE WHAT THEY HAVE, DO THEY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO BE RE RE-ENROLLED FOR 2023?

AND SHOULD THEY EXPECT THAT THEIR PREMIUM IS GOING TO CHANGE?

>> Michelle Eberle: IN MOST CASES THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.

SO WE RUN RENEWALS AND WE SEND OUT NOTICES TO INDIVIDUALS, AND IF THEY ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR PLAN, IF THEY DON'T WANT TO SHOP AROUND, THEN THEY CAN JUST SIT BACK AND LET THEIR PLAN RENEW.

IF THEY ARE TOLD TO COME BACK, THEY MAY HAVE TO CHANGE SOME INFORMATION, MAYBE THEIR INCOME WAS CHANGED AND WE DO ASK THEM TO COME BACK AND UPDATE THAT INFORMATION.

WE ALWAYS ENCOURAGE EVERYONE, EVEN IF YOU'RE HAPPY WITH YOUR PLAN, TO COME BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT'S AVAILABLE.

PREMIUMS DID GO UP THIS YEAR ABOUT ON AVERAGE 6%.

MOST PEOPLE WILL BE INSULATED FROM THAT BECAUSE THE TAX CREDITS WILL HELP RELIEVE THAT INCREASE IN THE PREMIUMS.

BUT THE OTHER THING THAT WE HAVE BUILT INTO OUR SYSTEM AND WE KEEP IMPROVING YEAR OVER YEAR IS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO HELP INDIVIDUALS GET TO THE PLAN THAT'S BEST FOR THEM.

MANY TIMES PEOPLE PICK A PLAN THAT HAS THE LOWEST DEDUCTIBLAL OR THE LOWEST OUT OF POCKET COSTS, BUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS TO GO THROUGH THE STEPS AND LOOK AT THE PLANS AND FILL OUT THE INFORMATION, WHETHER YOU USE A LOT OF MEDICAL SERVICES OR JUST A LITTLE, FEW MEDICAL SERVICES A YEAR BECAUSE WE'VE ACTUALLY BUILT IN STEPS TO HELP NARROW DOWN THE PLANS THAT, PARTICULARLY FOR YOUR NEEDS, WOULD BE THE BEST VALUE PLAN FOR YOU.

SO WE ENCOURAGE YOU EITHER TO COME TO OUR WEBSITE, MARYLANDHEALTHCONNECTION.GOV TO GO TO ONE OF OUR OVER 1,000 SISTERS, OUR NAVIGATORS, OUR LICENSED AUTHORIZED PRODUCERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OR TO CALL OUR CALL CENTER WHICH IS (855)642-8572.

AND GET HELP.

WE HAVE LOTS OF PEOPLE AVAILABLE TO HELP FIND THE HEALTH PLAN THAT'S BEST FOR YOU.

>> Jeff: LET ME REMIND OUR VIEWERS IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE IN MARYLAND GIVE US A NUMBER CALL AT THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN OR YOU CAN SEND AN EMAIL TO LIVEQUESTIONS@MPT.ORG.

MICHELLE, I LOOKED AT THIS ONCE TO HELP SOMEBODY PURCHASE A PLAN.

IT'S THE MOST CONFUSING THING IN THE WORLD.

I MEAN, THERE'S GOLD.

THERE'S SILVER.

THERE'S BRONZE.

THERE'S HMOs, THERE'S PPOs, THERE'S DUCT IBLES.

THERE'S SOME STUFF THAT GETS AROUND THE DEDUCTIBLAL.

YOU MENTIONED TRYING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE.

WHAT IS THE EASIEST PATH TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU?

>> Michelle Eberle: THAT'S WHY, JEFF, WE HAVE ADD THIS HAD YEAR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS IN TERMS OF WHAT OUR UTILIZATION IS, AND THEN WE'VE ALSO PUT IN -- RESORTED THE ORDER, SO WHEN YOU GO TO LOOK FOR A HEALTH PLAN, BEHIND-THE-SCENES, WE'RE GOING, BASED ON THE INFORMATION YOU GAVE YOU US, YOUR AGE, UTILIZATION, YOUR INCOME, WE'RE GOING TO PUT THE PLANS HIGHER UP IN THE HIERARCHY THAT WOULD BE A BETTER VALUE FOR YOUR NEEDS, AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, SOME PEOPLE JUST GO BASED ON THE DEDUCTIBLAL, BUT AS JUST MENTIONED THERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE IN THE LOWER INCOME TIERS, WHAT WE CALL COST SHARE REDUCTION, BUT THOSE ARE ADDITIONAL SAVINGS, AND SO WE MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE SEE THE FULL PICTURE AND NOT JUST PART OF THE PICTURE AND, OF COURSE, YOU CAN COMPARE PLANS AND PUT THEM SIDE BY SIDE AND MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTOR THAT YOU WANT TO SEE -- PUT IN WANT TO GO TO, MAKE SURE THEY'RE IN THE NETWORK.

THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

BUT EVERY YEAR WE'RE WORKING TO MAKE THE TOOLS MORE INTUITIVE TO HELP NARROW DOWN PLANS THAT ARE BEST FOR YOU, AND, OF COURSE, THAT'S WITH ALL OF OUR CARRIERS, WHETHER IT'S UNITED, KAISER OR CARE FIRST, WE REALLY MAKE SURE WE'RE GIVING YOU ROBUST COVERAGE.

>> Jeff: AND THOSE THREE INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE CONTINUING TO PARTICIPATE.

>> Michelle Eberle: THEY ARE.

ALL THREE OF THEM.

>> Jeff: LET'S TAKE A PHONE CALL FROM ANN REYNALDO COUNTY.

THIS IS -- ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.

GEORGE.

>> I HAVE WHAT I THINK IS A RARE SITUATION.

I HAVE A HIGH DEDUCTIBLAL ACCOUNT THAT I'M VERY HAPPY WITH BUT THEY DON'T GIVE ME THE PREMIUM THAT I'M GOING PAY NEXT YEAR UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER K. WHICH MEANS THAT I HAVE HARDLY ANY TIME TO SWITCH, DO ANY RESEARCH AND MAKE A DIFFERENT SELECTION.

WHY AREN'T THEY REQUIRED TO GIVE ME THE NUMBER WELL IN ADVANCE?

>> Jeff: GEORGE, THANKS FOR THE CALL.

MICHELLE, IS THAT COMMON?

>> Michelle Eberle: WELL, I'M NOT CERTAIN IF GEORGE IS TALK ABOUT MEDICARE OR A COMMERCIAL HEALTH PLAN.

THE NOTICES THAT WE SEND OUT FOR RENEWALS, WE SEND THEM OUT OCTOBER 1st, SO IF YOU'RE IN THE INDIVIDUAL MARKETPLACE AND YOU'RE GETTING HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH MARYLAND HEALTH CONNECTION, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR NOTICE, YOUR RENEWAL NOTICE WITH THE NEW PREMIUM NO LATER THAN BY MID-OCTOBER WHEN THEY HIT ALL THE MAILBOXES.

>> Jeff: AND PEOPLE CAN GO, IF THEY WANT TO FIND OUT NOW WHAT THIS MIGHT COST, IT'S ALL THERE.

YOU HAVE TO REGISTER TO SEE IT BUT THAT'S GONE, RIGHT?

>> Michelle Eberle: YOU HAVE SUCH A GOOD MEMORY, THAT IS ALL GONE.

WE HAVE THE GET AN ESTIMATE, AND THE ONLY INFORMATION I NEED IS YOUR AGE, WHAT COUNTY YOU LIVE IN, YOUR ZIP CODE, AND YOUR INCOME, AND WHETHER YOU WANT JUST HEALTH INSURANCE OR HEALTH AND DENTAL INSURANCE IF YOU HAVE ANY DEPENDENTS, AND JUST PUTTING THAT INFORMATION IN.

YOU CAN SEE ALL THE PLANS.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT YOU WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR FOR A TAX CREDIT, FOR YOU THE YOUNG ADULT SUBSIDY.

WE MADE IT VERY EASY TO GO IN AND JUST SHOP AROUND.

>> Jeff: YOU WERE TELLING ME ABOUT ONE INTERESTING WRINKLE THIS YEAR TO APPLIES I THINK TO FAMILY SITUATIONS WHERE MAYBE THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD IS EMPLOYED BUT THAT PERSON'S INSURANCE WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE IF THEY TRIED TO EXTEND IT TO THE REST OF THE FAMILY.

DID I GET THAT RIGHT?

AND WHAT'S YOUR NEW OPTION?

>> Michelle Eberle: SO THIS IS A NEW FEDERAL REGULATION THAT CAME DOWN, A RULE THAT CAME DOWN THAT ALLOWS FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO SEND THE SPOUSE AND THE CHILDREN TO THE EXCHANGE AND THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TAX CREDITS.

BASED ON IF THE HEALTH POLICY THAT THEY'D BE BUYING FROM AN EMPLOYER FOR THE FAMILY, THE ENTIRE FAMILY, BOTH THE SPOUSES AND THE CHILDREN, IF IT IS NOT AFFORDABLE, AND THERE'S ALL SORTS OF CALCULATIONS AND IT'S A LITTLE CATED, SO WE JUST SAY, IF IN THE PAST YOU TRIED TO BUY HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH YOUR EMPLOYER AND THE EMPLOYER COVERED THE EMPLOYEE COVERAGE BUT THE COVERAGE FOR THE EMPLOYEE AND THE SPOUSE AND THE CHILDREN WAS REALLY UNAFFORDABLE, COME TO THE EXCHANGE.

WE'VE GOT CALCULATORS IN THERE.

PUT THE INFORMATION IN.

BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING BRAND NEW JUST WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS, AND YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR SOME MORE AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE SPOUSE AND THE DISPENTD.

>>> >> Jeff: CALL FROM BALTIMORE COUNTY.

THIS.

ANN.

THANK YOU FOR THE CALL.

GO AHEAD.

>> Speaker: HELLO.

>> Jeff: HELLO YOU'RE ON.

>> Speaker: I TAKE A TIER 5 DRUG.

IT'S CALLED DUPIXETN.

I'M TRIER TO RETIRE AND GET ON A MEDICARE PART D PROGRAM.

I GET THIS DRUG WITH A COPAY INCENTIVES PROGRAM FROM MY EMPLOYER WHICH I WILL LOSE WHEN I RETIRE.

I HAVE BEEN ALL OVER SEEKING INFORMATION.

I AM GOING TO BE PUT INTO THE DOUGHNUT HOLE OF MEDICARE DUE -- IF ANYBODY IS AWARE OF THE DOUGHNUT HOLE, AND I WILL BE PAYING A PHENOMENAL AMOUNT OF MONEY AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE NEED FOR THIS DRUG.

>> Jeff: ANN, I'M AFRAID WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND.

THIS IS MORE FOCUSED ON MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE.

BUT LET ME SEE IF MICHELLE HAS ANY ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS WITH EXPENSIVE DRUGS AND COMPARING FORMULARIES AND ALL OF THAT.

>> Michelle Eberle: THANKS FOR ASKING THAT BECAUSE THERE IS THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGING, AND THEY HAVE RUN A WHOLE AREA THAT FOCUSES ON SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS.

SO I DON'T HAVE THEIR NUMBER BUT LOOK UP MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGING.

REACH OUT TO THEM AND THEY CAN PROVIDE YOU ASSISTANCE AS YOU'RE TRANSITIONING TO MEDICARE.

>> Jeff: MICHELLE MICHELI MITCHELL MITCHELL IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MARYLAND HEALTH BECHT EXCHANGE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

THAT IS DIRECT "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN