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Re “Critical Condition” (1/4):
Please inform Councilmembers Chavous, Catania, Ambrose, and Allen that last month, I chose Howard University Hospital for my primary care because of an emergency illness. I chose Howard because of excellent care that I received for surgery nine months ago—while D.C. General Hospital was still in operation. My care this time at Howard suggested that overall quality had declined tremendously in just nine short months. Despite having sufficient insurance coverage, I spent 16 hours in an emergency triage room before I was issued a bed. (Some spent up to three days in the same predicament.) Doctor acquaintances have indicated to me that the direct closing of emergency services in the city’s only public hospital has strained care at all D.C. and many neighboring Maryland hospitals. (Imagine the same for Chicago’s Cook County Hospital, Dallas’ Parkland, or Baltimore’s Maryland General.)
To make matters worse, D.C. General was profitable two years before closing, and the hospital scored a 94 out of 100 in an area hospital rating, higher than most area hospitals. The only negative was that its facilities and infrastructure were quite antiquated.
Although I live in Maryland and I will continue to trust and respect the desires of District voters, I hope D.C. residents will not re-elect Mayor Anthony A. Williams for another term. His arrogance, as well as his high level of incompetence, has been demonstrated in his willingness to give up a public good for the profitable real estate surrounding D.C. General.
Bowie, Md.