Maryland county executive supports hospital bill

Prince George, MD, County Executive Jack B. Johnson said he is "very excited" about a bill that will create an independent authority to take over the county's hospital system. Johnson had remained silent for four days after the bill's passage, leading some to wonder if he no longer supported the vision outlined in the legislation. The bill says that the county and state must agree to a long-term funding plan for the system within 60 days of its enactment. The long-term funding plan will be floated to hospital management companies in hopes they will bid to take over from Dimensions Health, the nonprofit organization that manages the hospital system.