Healthcare and Wellness: Access, Affordability, and a Healthier Maryland

No family should have to drive an hour for basic care—and no one should go broke getting healthy. Access and affordability must go hand in hand.

Walter Kirkland is committed to building a healthcare system that works for every family in Maryland’s Fifth District—expanding access, lowering costs, and strengthening care where it’s needed most.

Expand Access Where It’s Needed Most

Too many families face long wait times, limited providers, and barriers to care—especially in underserved communities. Walter will expand access by investing in community health centers, increasing telehealth services, and creating incentives for providers to practice in high-need areas.

Mental Health, Wellness, and Community Care

Mental health care is health care—period. But wellness goes even further.

Wellness is the fabric of strong families, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and local institutions working together. Walter will build a system that doesn’t rely solely on overburdened providers, but instead strengthens community-based solutions that meet people where they are.

He will:

• Build local capacity through community-based wellness programs focused on prevention, peer support, and early intervention

• Integrate mental health and wellness support across schools, workplaces, and community organizations

• Create a connected network of care accessible to youth and families

Mental health is also public safety. Walter supports integrating mental health response teams into emergency systems so individuals in crisis receive care—not escalation.

Address Addiction as a Public Health Crisis

Walter is committed to tackling addiction and the opioid crisis with real, comprehensive solutions. He will expand access to treatment and recovery programs, support workforce reintegration, and coordinate enforcement efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking—treating addiction as both a public health and public safety issue.

Lower Costs and Remove Barriers

Healthcare should not be a financial burden. Walter will work to lower prescription drug and treatment costs through transparency, increased competition, and protection of Medicare reforms. He will also hold insurance companies accountable to ensure mental health services are covered equally and without unnecessary barriers.

Strengthen the Healthcare Workforce

A stronger healthcare system requires a stronger workforce. Walter will expand nursing and behavioral health programs and support loan forgiveness for providers who commit to serving local communities—ensuring patients can access care close to home.

The Bottom Line

Walter Kirkland’s approach is simple:

• Expand access to care in underserved communities

• Build community-based wellness systems that prevent crises

• Treat mental health and addiction with urgency and compassion

• Lower healthcare costs and hold insurers accountable

• Strengthen the healthcare workforce

Because no one should struggle to get the care they need—and every family in Maryland’s Fifth District deserves the opportunity to be healthy, supported, and able to thrive.