Bowie's health critical in hospital saving efforts By ANNETTE ESTERHELD Staff Writer
Efforts to save the ailing Prince George's County Hospital System continue, and Bowie Mayor Fred Robinson is concerned with the outcome not only because he wants to see the Bowie Health Center remain open, but because the city has plans for the center.
"Our own health future is tied with what's going on," Robinson told the Blade-News. "Once the system is operational, we want to move to phase two which involves turning the Bowie Health Center into a full-service hospital, something Bowie badly needs."
"Last Friday I attended a press conference jointly held by Gov. Martin O'Malley and County Executive Jack Johnson to announce the names of the seven people who will make up the Prince George's Hospital Authority that's charged with finding a new owner for the hospital system," Robinson said. "Everyone was optimistic about a successful conclusion."
The hospital authority was created by legislation O'Malley signed last month. The authority's job will be to facilitate the process to find a new owner for the hospital system that's currently operated by Dimensions Healthcare System. The authority will solicit bids from health-care companies interested in taking over the system, which includes the Bowie Health Center.
Along with O'Malley and Johnson, Friday's gathering included Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, House Speaker Mike Busch, Prince George's County Council Chairman Samuel Dean and members of the Prince George's County Council and General Assembly delegation.
The seven-member group consists of three individuals appointed by the state, three by the county and one chosen by the General Assembly. The state appointees are Andrea Leahy Fuchek, Karen Johnson Shaheed and Dr. Joseph L. Wright. Miller and Busch announced that Dr. Donald E. Wilson is the General Assembly appointee. Earlier last week Johnson announced the county's three representatives, Kenneth Glover, Stanley Brown and Thomas Himler.
"Keeping the hospital system afloat is a complicated issue," Robinson said. "I'm pleased with the leadership in Annapolis. Gov. O'Malley and Lt. Gov. Brown took the right steps. They decided to keep the system alive and not let it die and they hunkered down to get what I think is a workable solution. I also believe that Johnson and the County Council are also committed."
Robinson said he's impressed by the authority board and the reputation of its members. "The group looks first-class and they're prepared to move ahead," he said. "It took a lot of work to come up with seven names. This is another sign to me that people see the hospital crisis as the serious issue it is."
O'Malley said Friday that the appointments represent "a major step toward maintaining and improving quality health care for the people of Prince George's County."
"I'm so proud these able members are willing to serve the people of Maryland in this capacity, and I look forward to working with the board, legislators from the area and our friends in Prince George's County to install new and sustainable leadership of the Prince George's Hospital System," he said.
Johnson announced the county's representatives June 6. He said he was "very confident that these individuals will represent the best interests of the county and they will work hard to ensure the viability and long-term health of our hospital system."
He also said he believes the group will transfer the system to an entity that will "build a world-class health system in Prince George's County.
Brown, a Prince George's County resident, said Friday that the hospital is "about so much more than beds and operating rooms - it's about the people inside and the progress we make by working together."
Over 188,000 patients are served by the system yearly and there are thousands of dedicated employees. John Reid, executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Maryland/DC Division, said O'Malley has made saving health care in the county a "top priority of his administration."
Before the hospital authority can look for a new owner, the bill calls for the county and state to reach agreement on the funding support needed to ensure that the new owner will have the resources to save and transform the hospital system. To do that, the county appointed its finance chief Iris B. Boswell and O'Malley appointed Peggy J. Watson, his deputy chief of staff, to figure out how much money each will have to put on the table to lure new buyers for the hospital.
"I've heard estimates as high as $300 million to $400 million," Robinson said. At the same time the bill calls for the county and state to each provide $12 million to the hospital system for the next two years that Robinson said would be used to "keep the system operating and to help it become a more attractive purchase."
Boswell and Watson have until July 21, 60 days from the May 22 bill signing, to create a financial plan that the county and state will both sign off on. If the county and state can't agree, they could have a 30-day extension to allow time for Boswell and Watson to develop a plan agreeable to both entities. After the 90 days, the page is wiped clean and all financial commitments from both sides are eliminated. Some hospital leaders say if that happens the hospital system could be back where it was in April 2007 - facing shutdown.
"I know I've said it a thousand times, but it's true that as far as the city is concerned, failure to reach a solution to the hospital crisis is not an option," Robinson said.
"I think we're all optimistic right now, but we have to understand we're still in a crisis and that the future of the hospital situation is very precarious."
