University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore has agreed to assist in the turnaround of Dimensions Healthcare Systems' three public hospitals in Prince George County, according to a Washington Examiner report.
UMMS has been reluctant to help the public health system for years due to Dimensions' "precarious finances" but has decided to participate on several conditions. According to the report, UMMS will serve in an advisory role to Dimensions over the next two years, with potential to integrate the two health systems in the future. However, UMMS can leave its advisory role if costs of operating Dimensions' public hospitals get too high, according to the news report.
UMMS has proposed a new hospital can bring in new profits for the county. Additionally, $60 million in promised funding over the next two years by Gov. Martin O'Malley and County Executive Rushern Baker could also help stabilize Dimensions' struggling public hospitals. The three hospitals' total debt has amounted to $200 million.
Read the Washington Examiner news report about UMMS.