Lives in the Balance in Prince George's

The battle between Prince George's County government and Dimensions Healthcare System over control of Dimensions' board of directors obscures what is really at stake: many human lives ["Hospital Payment on Hold After Ruling," Maryland Briefing, Aug. 2].

Prince George's hospitals -- which include the state's second largest trauma center -- serve more than 180,000 patients a year. Yet the system has struggled financially for years, surviving precariously on short-term funding, the latest being an emergency appropriation of $9 million in May. However, County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) has made the release of much of that funding contingent on Dimensions Healthcare changing its board of directors, a condition the county is stubbornly insisting on even as the system sinks ever closer to bankruptcy.

Were the situation not so dire, the county's position might be acceptable. But putting people's lives in jeopardy is too high a price.

With Prince George's Hospital Center on the brink of closing, and the health of many thousands of Prince George's residents threatened, it is past time to put all the "buts" aside and come to an agreement -- to value lives over legalities.

NANCY PARK

Fairfax