Meredith Cohn

1 week ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Meredith Cohn

Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center, the state-run maximum security psychiatric hospital for people charged with serious criminal offenses, received a major warning this month from accreditors about poor conditions at the facility that could lead to its shutdown. The state facility in Jessup had already been working to address staffing, safety and other concerns, issues that have drawn repeated criticism from lawmakers, advocates and the union representing workers.

2 weeks ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Meredith Cohn

At the time, Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee didn’t worry much. The world-class pancreatic cancer researcher at the Johns Hopkins University had been through plenty over the years as she marshaled her team against a disease that kills almost everyone who gets it. So in January, when she heard that President Donald Trumppaused biomedical grant-making, Jaffee thought the new administration was justgaining its footing. The directives, however, kept coming.

2 weeks ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Pamela Wood |Meredith Cohn

As the governor and state lawmakers finalize the state’s budget, they’re keeping an eye on Washington, where Republicans are considering maneuvers that could hit Maryland to the tune of $1 billion. The Republican-controlled Congress wants to extend and expand tax cuts, and that means slashing $880 billion worth of federal spending over the next decade to pay for it.

2 weeks ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Meredith Cohn

They’ve investigated blood tests to find cancer early and treat it with the best drugs. They’ve looked at new obesity drugs to curb cocaine addiction. They’ve developed medications aimed at addressing chronic pain and prevent norovirus symptoms that has plagued some cruise ships. These are some of the scientists at the University of Maryland, Baltimore whose projects have been canceled, stalled or put under threat by cuts at the National Institutes of Health under the Trump administration.

3 weeks ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Meredith Cohn |Alissa Zhu

On Tuesday morning, Shawn Linman learned he was being terminated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of mass layoffs that are disproportionately impacting people who live and work in Maryland. The scene for Linman was both chaotic and tragic. Some coworkers’ badges stopped working and had to be escorted by security to clear their desks. Other laid-off employees included veterans and a new mother on her first day of maternity leave.