Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson said Tuesday he will decide within the next two weeks whether to releasethe millions of dollars the county has been withholding from the operators of its cash-strapped hospital system.
Johnson made his comments following a meeting Monday evening with the new Dimensions Healthcare System board chairman, Bill Williams, hours after the board voted to drop a $14 million lawsuit against the county. Dimensions runs the county-owned hospital system.
“It was an excellent meeting,” Johnson told The Examiner, adding the two will meet again soon, perhaps with the County Council.
Johnson said he and Williams talked about the type of people who should be on the Dimensions board, the vision for the hospital system, how they have to work together and how they have to change the image of the system.
They also used the meeting as an opportunity to get to know each other, as they had never previously met, according to Johnson.
“We agreed that we are going to work together,” said Johnson, who called Williams “a man of action.”
Dimensions has been locked in a struggle with the county for several months, with Prince George’s withholding $14 million from the system until four board members resign. The company had refused that demand and has discussed shutting down the system.
Last week, Johnson called the recent reshuffling of Dimensions’ board a “major first step.” But when questioned about possibly releasing funds, Johnson said, “We still have a lawsuit we have to worry about.”
On Sept. 13, the board ousted former Chairman Calvin Brown, who had battled Johnson over control of the system, voted to make Williams chairman and selected Del. Barbara Frush, D-Prince George’s, to replace Brown.
Williams was among the members targeted by Johnson for removal.
On Tuesday, Johnson said he is happy with Williams and is no longer seeking his removal. When asked whether he was satisfied with the new board composition, Johnson said, “I’m not satisfied, but it’s something that we can move forward on.”
