ANOTHER TRAGIC

EXAMPLE OF WHY WE

NEED TWO UPCOUNTY

HOSPITALS

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

A few months ago, I presented a detailed argument on this blog in favor of building the new Holy Cross Hospital in Germantown, AND the Adventist Hospital in Clarksburg. And I proposed that one of those hospitals have a trauma center, to address the gaping geographical hole that has proven dangerous or fatal to central Maryland trauma patients.

http://robertdyer.blogspot.com/2010/03/real-health-care-plan-for-montgomery.html

Since that time, the overwhelming evidence that we need more hospital facilities in the growing Upcounty continues to mount.

This past Independence Day morning, an auto accident occurred in North Potomac. One victim was flown to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda. I have not heard an update on his condition or survival. But the fact is, he could have been taken more quickly to a trauma center in Germantown or Clarksburg, as could trauma patients in Urbana, New Market, Ijamsville and Mount Airy.

Currently, trauma victims in upper Montgomery County, Frederick County and Carroll County are flown to Suburban in Bethesda, or trauma centers in Washington County or Baltimore City. These centers have an excellent reputation, but what about the air-travel time factor?

This is what we must address. Rather than continue to waste taxpayer funds on Madoffonomics, developer deals (Webb Tract), developer tax cuts and Costco, we need to commit our resources to infrastructure.

Two Upcounty hospitals are not only greatly-needed infrastructure, but will also create jobs and reduce health care costs in our county's budget. Let's find the will and the funds to assist in building them.