Maryland county's hospitals get relief, not a cure

The Maryland General Assembly has passed legislation that is intended to provide long-term stability for the Prince George's County hospital system. The bill envisions a series of steps county and state leaders must take cooperatively within days and months of its signing by the governor. The agreenents might prove difficult, however, because county and state leaders have tussled over the legislation. Senators were concerned with a mandate in the bill that county and state leaders agree to a long-term funding plan for the system within 60 days. Otherwise, the county and Maryland might be released from the obligation to provide interim funding to keep the system running.