County Executive Submits Emergency Funding Bill For Hospital

UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson today, after consultation with the County Council, submitted emergency recommending that $5 million be transmitted to Dimensions Healthcare, provided that the Board of Directors agrees to certain conditions.

“The County Council and I are serious about our commitment to keep the hospital open and provide emergency healthcare to all of our citizens and residents,” Johnson said.  “We are also very serious about the conditions we attached to the release of additional funding for the hospital.  We demand and the taxpayers expect accountability and fiscal responsibility.  That is what these conditions impose.”

The conditions call for complete access to all records and facilities of Dimensions so that an analysis of hospital operations and finances can be performed; the Dimensions Board of Directors must agree to a reorganization and creation of a long-term strategy to cut costs without sacrificing patient care; and that any subsequent appropriations from the county to Dimensions will require a reconstitution of the Board of Directors resulting in a majority being appointed by the county.  Furthermore, no additional funds will be transferred until these requirements are accepted.

The county has committed nearly $50 million to the hospital over the last four years.  The County Executive and County Council have become increasingly concerned about accelerating losses in the past year.

“Citizens can be assured that the Council, in partnership with the County Executive, is working hard to address the short and long-term issues associated with the ongoing financial crisis facing our hospital system,” Council Chair Camille Exum said.  “We are working diligently to ensure that every stakeholder, especially the State of Maryland which holds ultimate responsibility for the provision of healthcare in our county, participates in the effort to enhance the efficiency of our system and effectiveness of service to our community.”

The Dimensions Board of Directors is expected to meet Thursday to decide whether or not to accept the county’s conditions that they refused to take action on last Friday.

“We await the outcome of the Dimensions board meeting on Thursday and the result of our ongoing dialogue with the state on this issue.”

The County Council will meet as Committee of the Whole to consider the emergency legislation, CB-2-2007, during Council session on Tuesday February 6 at 1:30 p.m.