Hospital’s future rests on county’s unity

It is not a good start for the latest attempt to save the hospital system. The system, which serves 180,000 patients annually, is operated by Dimensions Healthcare Corp. and has long suffered from financial instability caused by the large number of uninsured patients it serves.

Previous attempts to formulate rescue plans for the hospital fell apart over disagreements between County Executive Jack B. Johnson and the County Council. Recent squabbling between Dimensions and the county exec further complicated the situation, but the two reconciled and talks resumed to solve the potential health-care crisis.

Johnson said it best Monday after he toured Laurel Regional Hospital, where he met with William Williams, the chairman of Dimensions.

‘‘What we really need is to get on the same page,” Johnson said, adding that he plans to talk with Council Chairwoman Camille Exum about hospital funding.

Hopefully, a united effort is under way. However, the fact that leaders have yet to publicly, clearly and jointly announce an agreed upon plan six months after the last proposal fell apart does not bode well.

Residents, patients and hospital employees, long tired of the years-long hospital debate, are expecting solutions this time around. Efforts simply are no longer good enough, and lack of unity is no longer a justifiable excuse.

During Johnson’s visit to Laurel hospital, nurse Bobbie Tarbox pointed to past failed plans and disputes over the hospital and asked, ‘‘Based on what happened, my question is, what’s changed?”

Unfortunately, Tarbox’s answer will only come when a hospital plan is approved or fails to come to fruition.

All eyes are on the county officials and representatives to see if times truly have changed and if they are able to quickly reach common ground for the sake of all Prince Georgians.

A fair to remember

The Prince George’s County Women’s Fair returned this weekend after a five-year hiatus.

The event, which had been held annually for 25 years, ceased in 2002 when no one took over the difficult task of coordinating the event.

Thanks to a united effort among county groups, including the Women’s Action Coalition, the fair returned to the county Saturday.

More than 50 exhibitors catering to issues important to women, such as finances, domestic violence and health issues, brought information to share with county residents. The event also provided an opportunity for the county’s women to network and share information.

Future fairs are likely to grow in size and popularity if they return to their regular cycle, as the event is a valuable resource for women. Kudos to those who took on the cumbersome task of coordinating such an important event.