Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer

Maybe if the BPD's policy didnt require police to call for an ambulance every time people complained of a headache or a scratch on their hand....

If we had a single payer healthcare system like every civilized country, emergency departments would not be so overwhelmed. So, maybe, as a politician, that is what you should be advocating for.

The long wait times at hospitals—especially LifeBridge Health Sinai Hospital—are not just an issue of inefficiency; they are a direct result of a broken healthcare system that forces providers to operate on razor-thin margins. Baltimore City EMS is already overwhelmed, and when hospitals are unable to handle patient intake efficiently, it creates dangerous delays that put lives at risk. A major factor behind this crisis is the way insurance companies dictate reimbursement rates and impose bureaucratic hurdles that make it nearly impossible for hospitals to provide timely care. Hospitals are struggling to stay afloat because insurers reimburse at rates that barely cover the cost of care. Every test, procedure, and hospital stay is scrutinized by insurers looking for ways to deny or reduce payments. This forces hospitals to make difficult decisions—cut staff, reduce services, or operate at a loss. When hospitals don’t have enough doctors, nurses, or support staff, emergency rooms become overcrowded, and wait times skyrocket. Beyond staffing, insurance restrictions prevent patients from getting the care they need outside the ER. Many people can’t get timely appointments with specialists because insurers require prior authorizations, deny coverage, or offer reimbursement so low that providers refuse to accept certain plans. As a result, patients delay care until they have no choice but to go to the emergency room—overwhelming an already strained system. Hospitals, first responders, and patients are all suffering under a system designed to maximize profits for insurance companies rather than ensure quality care. While EMS crews are left waiting for hours to transfer patients, insurance executives are making record profits by refusing to pay hospitals what they need to operate efficiently. We need real reform—higher reimbursement rates, fewer prior authorization roadblocks, and policies that ensure patients can access care before they reach the ER. Until these issues are addressed, our hospitals will continue to struggle, our first responders will be overburdened, and our constituents will suffer from unacceptable delays in life-saving care. Baltimore deserves better.

Ensuring timely emergency care is critical for the well-being of our community, and the long wait times at hospitals—especially LifeBridge Health Sinai Hospital—are a serious concern that needs immediate attention. Baltimore City EMS is already stretched thin, and when hospitals are unable to receive patients efficiently, it places an even greater burden on our emergency response system. There are multiple factors contributing to these excessive wait times. Staffing shortages remain a significant issue, as hospitals struggle to maintain adequate levels of doctors, nurses, and support staff. Additionally, the emergency room has become the primary healthcare option for many individuals who lack access to primary care providers. When patients can’t get timely appointments with doctors due to insurance restrictions or provider shortages, they often turn to the ER for non-emergency conditions, clogging the system and causing longer wait times for those in true medical distress. The issue is further compounded by insurance-related challenges. Many patients face difficulty obtaining approvals for necessary treatments, tests, or specialist visits, forcing them to rely on emergency rooms for care they should be receiving elsewhere. In some cases, hospitals struggle to get reimbursement for care provided, limiting their resources and ability to expand services. These systemic problems not only delay care for those who need it most but also create unnecessary stress on EMS crews who are forced to wait with patients instead of responding to new emergencies. Our first responders are dedicated professionals who put their lives on the line to serve this city, and they deserve to work with hospitals that can provide the level of care our constituents expect and deserve. We need real solutions—whether it’s better hospital staffing, improved insurance access, or policy changes that prevent unnecessary ER overcrowding. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration between hospitals, policymakers, and insurers, because no one should have to wait hours to receive life-saving medical attention. Baltimore deserves better, and we must work together to make that a reality.

LifeBridge Health is terrible! I’ve made several complaints to them on behalf of my loved one.

Well if people didn’t call for headaches, flu and prescription refills then the wait times wouldn’t be so appalling

And this is exactly the reason why politicians shouldn’t ‘dabble’ in health care 🤷🏼‍♂️

Really yitzi? How about giving ems the right to refuse to transport every toe pain and every “cough for 15 yrs”. And then maybe the EDs wouldn’t be full of patients that don’t need to be seen in an EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

Maybe YOU “Councilman” should start by spending a few 12-12.5 hour shifts there. You should be ashamed. Try being a part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

Hi, ER doc here- The biggest problem for EMS offloading is ED crowding. The biggest cause of crowding is ED boarding (holding admitted patients in the ER). And the biggest cause of boarding is lack of inpatient capacity, which Maryland has made worse because of the global budget. The article below has further details as well as policy recommendations pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8463045/

Just wondering the percentage of illegals to citizens

Please My Bill Has Nearly Tripled In 3 Months

December bill - $350ish January bill - $668 February bill - $1100!! Absolutely insane and unacceptable. We're seriously considering moving out of the city but everyone does not have that option.

Thanks Yitzy! I would focus on other states and how their utility companies are able to maintain their infrastructure without charging their customers exorbitant distribution charges!!

Thank you! The increased costs are outrageous.

No one can afford this. BGE is making too much profit.

Go get em !!!!

Please do

Thank you!!!

Thank you

Give em hell Yitzy!!!!!!

I remember her!!!!! Awesome bobbi, who I’m sure is looking down really proud of u!!!