Is Howard Too Healthy?

Remember those TV images and stories about the crowds of people eager to sign up for Howard County's innovative new low-cost health care program?

Turns out most of them already qualified for state and federal services, according to this item on the ExploreHoward blog.

Since the program began taking applications Oct. 1, about 1,100 people have applied for Healthy Howard, said Dr. Peter Beilenson, county health officer.

However, only 45 people have qualified, he said.

Council member Greg Fox questioned whether the county did enough homework before launching the program.