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Council Gives Mayor Authority to Seek Hospital Receiver |
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MEASURE SEEN AS CRUCIAL TO PROTECT DISTRICT HEALTHCARE On July 10, 2007, the D.C. Council passed a critical bill that authorizes the Mayor to seek an independent receiver to operate Greater Southeast Community Hospital (GSCH) in the event of an emergency. The bill, which is similar to laws in at least 15 other states, also defines the powers and duties of a receiver, as well as spells out the grounds on which the Mayor may take such action. Councilmember David Catania (At-Large), Chair of the Committee on Health, authored the legislation.
“The viability of this hospital is crucial to our entire healthcare infrastructure,” said Catania. “Both residents who are treated at Greater Southeast and those who are treated at our other hospitals will be negatively affected if conditions continue worsen.”
Catania said the option to seek a receiver is necessary given the results of repeated Department of Health inspections. Among other things, inspectors have found serious deficiencies in both staffing and equipment. Recently, hospital and city officials agreed on a series of corrective actions designed to address these inadequacies.
Catania noted that he was pleased with the Department’s vigilance and thoroughness. However, he was quick to point out the many promises to upgrade equipment and services made by the owners of GSCH over the years.
“The most important thing right now is to stay completely focused on ensuring the hospital’s problems are addressed as promised,” explained Catania.
Granting the Mayor the authority to seek an independent receiver gives the District an important tool with which to resuscitate the hospital’s finances and improve its quality of care. The receiver would have responsibility to manage the operations and finances of the hospital for the duration of the appointment. For more information, please call the Office of Councilmember David Catania at (202) 724-7772.
### July 10, 2007 Press Release
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Last Updated ( Friday, 13 July 2007 )
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