Dear Friends,
As discussions about the federal government shutdown continue, you will hear a lot about health care coverage. Democrats are attempting to include health care funding in the next budget, while Republicans aim to advance their plan that would reduce the number of Americans currently receiving benefits.
The State of Maryland is also focused on health care. As many as 190,000 Marylanders could see their monthly premiums go up by an average of 68%. Governor Wes Moore spoke to the media on Friday following his visit to Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Silver Spring Center. He highlighted the human cost this shutdown will have on people who rely on assistance with health and human services, income supports, and public health programs that run through the County and rely heavily on federal funding.
On the first day of the federal shutdown, I joined Rep. April McLain Delaney and several members of the Democratic Women's Caucus so they could see firsthand how these services are delivered to those who need them. I want to thank DHHS for accommodating these visits and the Congresswoman for arranging the event. I encourage you to watch the press conference held following the visit and the conversation I had with Rep. McLain Delaney during my weekly media briefing.
These visits matter because they show what is at stake for the families we serve. Our entire Montgomery County Congressional delegation has shown leadership through this shutdown. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Rep. April McLain Delaney, and Rep. Glenn Ivey, have all been vocal critics of how this has been handled. They stand up for residents relying on affordable health care and a functioning Federal government. People do not choose to get sick. The fact that they need lawmakers to fight for these fundamental rights is unconscionable.
Support from the federal level has helped reduce the percentage of uninsured residents in Maryland to just 6%, down from 13%. Even still, tens of thousands of people in every community across our nation stand to be hurt by rising health care costs or a loss of coverage. I join the governor and others like him in calling for a quick and fair resolution to this government shutdown.
Here are some important things to remember about health care right now:
- 2025 plans are still active through the end of the year, including plans purchased through the Maryland Health Connection.
- Now is a great time to schedule your free annual wellness checkup or catch up on any delayed care.
- Use your benefits before changes and higher costs take effect in 2026. Maryland’s Advance Premium Tax Credits can be used to help offset these increases. You can use the tax credit in two different ways:
- Save money now: Get the financial help in advance to lower your monthly premiums.
- Save money later: Wait until you file your taxes to get a premium tax credit added to your tax refund.
Read this analysis on health care expansion by the Maryland Healthcare For All coalition to understand more about the impact of uninsured patients on our health care system.
Remember, for plans that begin coverage on Jan. 1, open enrollment for health coverage through the Maryland Health Connection starts Nov.1. If you need help signing up or have questions, navigators are available in Montgomery County by calling 240-777-1815 or visiting marylandhealthconnection.gov.
As for our day-to-day operations, Montgomery County has managed its County budget and finances prudently. We ended last year with a surplus again, which has increased our reserves. We have not drawn from it because we anticipated this turbulence. If Federal support is withdrawn —Head Start, for example—we will look at whether we can backfill critical programs for young children. If funds to provide services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness are cut, we will act to prevent more people from ending up on the street. That likely means tapping reserves in the short term. However, reserves are finite, and if household incomes decline across this region, our revenues will also decline. That forces choices about curtailing things we need to do.
The Silver Spring Center and Upcounty Service Center are just two locations where we provide eligible residents with dental care, support for new parents, and more. Dozens of people daily, including immigrants and residents with disabilities, rely on these offices to get the help they need with dignity and professionalism. You will find these needs being met in every State—red and blue, Democrats and Republicans. Health care is not partisan. Dignity is not partisan.
In every shutdown we’ve endured, our community has shown up. Neighbors checked on neighbors, people donated to food pantries, and nonprofits rallied to support families connected to the Federal workforce. If this drags on, I expect Montgomery County will again demonstrate that culture of compassion. The County government will keep service counters open, share accurate information, and help people navigate a tough moment.
Resources to Assist Through the Federal Shutdown
Earlier this year, as federal spending cuts and the efforts of DOGE began putting our residents out of work, the County created the "Resources for Workers Impacted by Recent Federal Government Actions" page on our website. It helped connect people with important resources they were looking for, such as unemployment benefits (administered by the State) and job opportunities. During this shutdown, I would like to remind everyone of this site to help those with questions find the answers they need. We'll have it prominently on display on montgomerycountymd.gov, but let me share some of those links here as well.
- Maryland Unemployment Insurance
- Mobilize Montgomery
- Free Library Resources for Federal Employees
- WorkSource Montgomery
- Resources for Civil Servants
- Food Resources
- 24 Hour Crisis Center
Many families in our County rely on a federal government job or contract job to pay the bills. The stress this puts on those families is a lot to deal with. This shutdown introduces fear and uncertainty into an already tense situation where livelihoods are at stake. Please share these links and our County website with your friends and loved ones who may need the support.
Eric’s ID Law Now in Effect
With the start of October, many new state laws are in effect. One law is Eric’s ID Law—a landmark piece of legislation rooted in fairness, dignity, and public safety.
We know that disabilities are not always visible. Physical, mental, and neurological conditions can be hidden, yet the need for understanding and respect remains constant. For too long, people with invisible disabilities have faced misunderstandings and unsafe interactions with law enforcement.
Eric's ID Law gives Maryland residents with nonapparent disabilities the voluntary option to include a discreet notation on their driver’s license or ID card. I must stress that ‘voluntary’ is key. No one is required to disclose anything unless they choose to do so, because respecting individual privacy and autonomy must take precedence.
This law will provide first responders with the necessary information to approach these situations with greater care and empathy. For residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities, this notation is a butterfly. I hope it is widely adopted by those who are autistic.
This idea was born out of a desire to keep the innocent safe. Ultimately, it is about equity: making sure that people with disabilities are seen, heard, and treated with the dignity they deserve—just like everyone else.
In Montgomery County, we have worked to promote inclusion through parallel efforts, such as The Blue Envelope Initiative with Pathfinders for Autism and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower campaign. Eric’s ID Law reminds us that social justice means creating systems that work for everyone, especially those whose needs are too often overlooked.
I want to thank the legislative and community champions who helped pass this bill, including Maryland Sen. Will Smith and Delegates Jheanelle Wilkins, and Kym Taylor.
Most importantly, we recognize the leadership and advocacy of Eric Carpenter-Grantham and his mother, Linda Carpenter-Grantham. Their work ensures that many others will have safer, more respectful interactions in moments that matter most.
This initiative is vital, emphasizing our commitment to disability rights, community safety, and social equity. This is another step in making Maryland a fairer, safer, and more inclusive place for everyone.
Vision Zero Press Conference Focuses on New Speed Camera Laws
This past Tuesday in Wheaton, I joined Maryland Senator Jeff Waldstreicher, Delegate Jared Solomon, and members of the Montgomery County Department of Police to highlight new traffic safety laws that went into effect Oct. 1. You can watch the livestream on the County’s Facebook page.
Work on these bills goes back to 2023. That’s when we attempted to obtain the authority to install additional speed monitoring devices. Ultimately, it was decided that cameras would be used in areas designated as high-risk crash zones in our Vision Zero roadway safety plan. That means that before a camera is placed, a study is conducted to determine the percentage of cars that are speeding. When you see a new camera appear, be aware that its primary purpose is to slow down drivers.
In focusing on this issue, I was struck by a graphic that I’d like to share now. It illustrates how the faster a car is traveling when it hits someone, the higher the risk of death. If we can encourage more people to slow down in areas with high pedestrian traffic, then we can reduce the risk of someone being hit by a vehicle.
We average less than a dozen fatal pedestrian crashes per year, but in the last few weeks, several families have lost loved ones. We can do more to make pedestrians safer, such as examining the distance between bus stops and safe places to cross busy roads.
I’m glad that we have State lawmakers who didn’t give up on these safety priorities. Please obey all the laws of the road, whether you agree with them or not. People’s lives are at stake.
Washington Business Journal List of Developments to Watch
I was proud to see two Montgomery County projects featured on the Washington Business Journal’s list of the 10 major development projects in Greater Washington, published this week.
Viva White Oak continues to build anticipation as we look forward to action from the County Council to finalize a tax increment financing, or TIF, arrangement. The developer told a packed crowd of business leaders this summer that no one can complete a project this size without a TIF-like deal because there are no roads, sewer lines, or power infrastructure at this site—it is a blank canvas.
The first phase would include 938 single-family homes, over 1,200 apartments, 504,000 square feet of retail, a hotel, and more than 79,000 square feet of medical office space. A second phase would add nearly 2,500 additional housing units, 1.7 million square feet of life sciences office, lab and manufacturing space, and another hotel.
Another big development in the County’s future is the redevelopment of the White Flint mall site. Going forward, we could see a revitalization of the plans that were first approved for the site in 2012.
These potential additions follow a successful year that saw the Hines Company selected as the master developer for the North Bethesda Metro Station site and continued growth throughout the County in expanding technology sectors—including not only life sciences but also clean technology, satellite manufacturing, and other advanced technologies. I look forward to sharing more positive news about how Montgomery County is going in the right direction, with equity, sustainability, and innovation in mind.
Taste of Bethesda and Germantown’s October Fest This Weekend
I hope you have time to have some fun this weekend, as two of our community’s most popular events of the year are taking place.
The Germantown October Fest starts with a parade at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. This free event will feature live music, a free carnival, and food specials from local restaurants. If you get to the BlackRock Center for the Arts by 11 a.m. and participate in the Spooky Dance Party, you have a chance to be a grand marshal in the parade.
The 33rd annual Taste of Bethesda happens this Saturday as well. It will be held along Norfolk Avenue in the Woodmont Triangle and feature four stages of live entertainment. Taste tickets for participating restaurants will be available for sale until 3:30 p.m. Visit the Bethesda Urban Partnership website at Bethesda.org for more information.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive
