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April 19,
2006
Mayor Appoints Emergency Panel on Health Care in DCContact (Media Only): Vince Morris (202) 727-5011; Sharon Gang (202) 727-5011 Mayor Anthony A. Williams today announced the appointment of a task force to examine the National Capital Medical Center (NCMC) proposal and to review whether there are alternatives to improving health care in a way that is fiscally sound. The mission of this panel is three-fold: First, the panel will focus on Mayor Williams’ commitment to improving the city’s health care presence in East Washington, primarily by building some type of health care facility on Reservation 13. The panel will review what type of facility would best meet the needs of the community and will consider all types of care including primary, specialty and emergency care services. The panel will look at a full service hospital in the model of the NCMC but will also examine alternatives such as an ambulatory care center, an urgent care center and a healthplex. Second, the task force will identify the District’s most pressing health care issues. Third, the task force will develop recommendations to promote the financial stability of all existing District hospitals and to improve emergency room infrastructure. A primary element of this charge is working to shore up the financial viability and quality of services at Greater Southeast Community Hospital in tandem with ensuring the continued stability of Howard University Hospital. Mayor Williams has also asked the task force to examine the use and allocation of Disproportionate Share Dollars and Diagnosis-Related Group payment weights for District hospitals in an effort to promote the equitable and best use of these monies. Dr. Gregg Pane, director of the DC Health Department, will chair the task force which will deliver recommendations to Mayor Williams and the DC Council before July. Initially, other members include: Cornelius Baker, policy advisor, AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families; Sharon Baskerville, executive director, DC Primary Care Association; Colene Daniel, president and CEO, Greater Washington Region Doctors Community Healthcare Corporation; Dr. M. Joy Drass, president/CEO, Georgetown University Hospital; Vincent A. Keene, CEO, Unity Healthcare, Inc.; Robert A. Malson, president, DC Hospital Association; Kwame Roberts, Regional Addiction Prevention, Inc.; Michael C. Rogers, executive vice president, MedStar Health; Edward Shanbacker, executive vice president, Medical Society of DC; Dr. Bailus Walker, chairman, Mayor’s Health Policy Council; and, Dick Wolf, Chairman, Capitol Hill Restoration Society. Mayor Williams may seek to add additional members to the task force. |
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