UMd. Medical System Joins Partnership to Alleviate County Health Care Woes

The University of Maryland Medical System and the University System of Maryland have partnered with the largest provider of health care services in the county to build a new $600 million hospital in Central Prince George's County, as announced by elected and UMMS officials in July.

The partnership is expected to address insufficient health care in the county, resulting in large part from the financial struggles of Dimensions Health Corporation, according to the partnership agreement. The Washington Post reports that the hospital could open as soon as 2017.

Dimensions currently operates the Laurel Regional Hospital and the Bowie Health Center, as well as the Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly, which is expected to be replaced by the new 100-acre campus hospital, according to the website of County Executive Rushern Baker.

On his website, Baker also calls the current health care situation in the county a scandal.

According to a 2009 Rand Report, Prince George's County residents are more likely to be uninsured and have higher mortality rates than neighboring jurisdictions. The county struggles to attract sufficient primary care physicians and safety net providers, according to the report.

The Post reported that county residents often seek medical care outside of the county.

According to the partnership agreement, Dimensions is responsible for about $200 million of unfunded pension liabilities, outstanding debt and unfunded retiree health benefits cost.

Baker's website said the estimated $600 million price tag does not include a means to resolve Dimension's debt, or the cost of overhauling outpatient care.

The Post reported that it's not clear who will run the new hospital, or how it will be paid for. A cost projections and agreement phase is expected to take three to four months, and it won't start until the strategic plan development has been completed, according to a press release from the county.

In the release, UMMS Chief Executive Officer Robert Chrencik said that state and local funds will be required.

According to Baker's website, it will be at least another 16 months to "nail down details" that include financing.

The Times reported that Chrencik expects the impact of medical students to reduce the cost, as the hospital will be used as a teaching facility.

The partnership will also explore the possibility of developing a health sciences program run by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, according to the partnership agreement.

The University of Maryland Medical System is a private, nonprofit network of 12 academic, community and specialty hospitals throughout Maryland.