Hospital Plan Still In Play On Council

D.C. Mayor Asked That Legislation Be Put on Hold

Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) might have stepped on the brakes by appointing a task force to reexamine the city's need for a $400 million hospital, but the D.C. Council is still considering bills related to the controversial National Capital Medical Center, including one scheduled for a final vote tomorrow.

"The legislation is legitimately before the council, and it has not been withdrawn by the mayor," council Chairman Linda W. Cropp said in an interview.

Acknowledging that he still had questions about the proposed medical center, Williams named a task force of health-care advocates to advise him and asked the council to "put on hold" legislation before various committees until the group completes its work.

Some political observers see the move as an about-face for Williams, who signed an exclusive-rights agreement with Howard University to build a 250-bed hospital with a Level 1 trauma center on the grounds of the former D.C. General Hospital at Massachusetts Avenue and 19th Street SE.

The 13-member council is divided over the hospital proposal and is weighing several bills on the facility's financing and location, as well as a request to exempt the project from the city's certificate-of-need process, which requires an evaluation of any major construction of medical facilities.

Tomorrow, the council is expected to give final approval to the allocation of more than $200 million from the city's settlement with tobacco companies to the National Capital Medical Center plan and other projects. Cropp, a hospital supporter, ushered the bill through the Committee of the Whole, and the council unanimously approved it on first reading April 4. Cropp said quick action is necessary to get the most money from the settlement upfront.

Whether other bills are sent to the full council for a vote depends largely on several council committees.

The Committee on Government Operations, chaired by hospital proponent Vincent B. Orange Sr. (D-Ward 5), approved a measure last week to declare property around the old D.C. General Hospital surplus, a designation required for the new hospital to be constructed there. But Orange said the action was needed even if the land is not used for the hospital. Orange, Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) and Adrian M. Fenty (D-Ward 4), voted for the measure. Carol Schwartz (R-At Large), citing the uncertainty of the hospital project, voted present. Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) left before the vote.

The bill now heads to the Committee on Economic Development, which has been asked to consider the hospital leasing agreement. But committee Chairman Sharon Ambrose (D-Ward 6) has not scheduled a vote.

"I'm doing nothing on it," said Ambrose, who opposes the hospital plan.

Some say the council and mayor's actions are sending mixed messages. "I think the entire city is confused," said Greg Rhett, co-chairman of a citizens group that supports the project.

But the extended consideration has been welcomed by some, including D.C. Hospital Association President Robert A. Malson, who has expressed concern that the state-of-the-art facility could harm his member institutions.