ANNAPOLIS – Leaders from Dimensions, the operator of Laurel Regional Hospital, were called to Annapolis by the Maryland House of Delegate's Health and Government Operations (HGO) Committee to answer questions about their decision to close the hospital by 2018.
During the hearing, Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk (District 21) asked a series of challenging questions about the system’s finances, leadership and viability of plans for Laurel Regional Hospital as well as the other facilities in the Dimensions system.
Pena-Melnyk also took the system leaders to task for their lack of communication and transparency, asking Dimensions CEO Neil Moore, to confirm that “[I]n nine years, not once has Dimensions come to us and said that Laurel was in trouble – not once. Correct me if I’m wrong.” Her questioning also revealed that the top seven managers at Dimensions collectively earn nearly $5 million per year.
At a press conference prior to the HGO hearing, elected officials, emergency workers, Laurel Regional Hospital healthcare providers and community members voiced frustration and concerns about the proposed hospital closure.
“We’ve got questions,” said Lorita Waltz, a nurse at Laurel Regional Hospital. “The State of Maryland and Prince George’s County have pumped nearly $150 million into this system over the last nine years but why was neither entity was consulted when Dimensions decided to close Laurel Regional Hospital?
Other speakers at the press conference included Delegates Pena-Melnyk and Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Prince George’s County Councilmember Mary Lehman, Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad EMS Chief Michael Haggerty, Howard County Citizens Association president Stu Kohn and Laurel City Council President Edward Ricks and community members.
“Laurel Regional Hospital saved my life about 16 years ago,” said Paula Adams, a local resident and Laurel Regional Hospital patient. “I was having strange symptoms so I went to the ER. The next thing I know a cardiologist was telling me I was on the verge of a heart attack. I had angioplasty and two stents inserted. I had a stress test two weeks ago and I’m doing well.”
The community served by Laurel Regional Hospital has already lost critical services -- Dimensions closed the maternal and child health unit and eliminated five beds on October 11, 2015. Eleven medical/surgical beds were closed on November 7, 2015. The closest hospital, Doctor's Community Hospital in Lanham, is ten miles away from Laurel Regional but in the densely populated metropolitan region, it takes at least 20 minutes to reach, an eternity in an emergency.
1199SEIU represents more than 300 workers at the hospital; overall, 600 workers are expected to lose their jobs if the facility closes.
During the hearing, Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk (District 21) asked a series of challenging questions about the system’s finances, leadership and viability of plans for Laurel Regional Hospital as well as the other facilities in the Dimensions system.
Pena-Melnyk also took the system leaders to task for their lack of communication and transparency, asking Dimensions CEO Neil Moore, to confirm that “[I]n nine years, not once has Dimensions come to us and said that Laurel was in trouble – not once. Correct me if I’m wrong.” Her questioning also revealed that the top seven managers at Dimensions collectively earn nearly $5 million per year.
At a press conference prior to the HGO hearing, elected officials, emergency workers, Laurel Regional Hospital healthcare providers and community members voiced frustration and concerns about the proposed hospital closure.
“We’ve got questions,” said Lorita Waltz, a nurse at Laurel Regional Hospital. “The State of Maryland and Prince George’s County have pumped nearly $150 million into this system over the last nine years but why was neither entity was consulted when Dimensions decided to close Laurel Regional Hospital?
Other speakers at the press conference included Delegates Pena-Melnyk and Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Prince George’s County Councilmember Mary Lehman, Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad EMS Chief Michael Haggerty, Howard County Citizens Association president Stu Kohn and Laurel City Council President Edward Ricks and community members.
“Laurel Regional Hospital saved my life about 16 years ago,” said Paula Adams, a local resident and Laurel Regional Hospital patient. “I was having strange symptoms so I went to the ER. The next thing I know a cardiologist was telling me I was on the verge of a heart attack. I had angioplasty and two stents inserted. I had a stress test two weeks ago and I’m doing well.”
The community served by Laurel Regional Hospital has already lost critical services -- Dimensions closed the maternal and child health unit and eliminated five beds on October 11, 2015. Eleven medical/surgical beds were closed on November 7, 2015. The closest hospital, Doctor's Community Hospital in Lanham, is ten miles away from Laurel Regional but in the densely populated metropolitan region, it takes at least 20 minutes to reach, an eternity in an emergency.
1199SEIU represents more than 300 workers at the hospital; overall, 600 workers are expected to lose their jobs if the facility closes.
