From AFT Healthcare-Maryland: In the wake of community outrage around the potential closure of Western Maryland Hospital Center (WMHC) we are pleased that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is no longer interested in pursuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) which is a first step to the privatization of the facility. When DHMH initially planned to put out the RFP to as they said "explore options" patients, their families, the community and state workers joined forces to let the Governor and his administration know how much Marylanders value quality public health facilities.
While this is a momentary win for all residents of Hagerstown and Washington County we know efforts of community engagement and organizing must continue fighting privatization across the state. We thank Congressman Delaney and state Sen. Manno for their ongoing support as we pushed back against privatization efforts that would have hurt patients, residents and workers in Hagerstown. We look forward to working with DHMH to restore WHMC services and complete the necessary improvements to the hospital center.
Read more about the forum on AFT Healthcare-Maryland's Facebook page.
Click here to see photos from the Community Forum.
Hear what community members, patients, and local politicians have to say about the importance of facilities like Western Maryland Hospital Center on AFT-Maryland's YouTube channel.
05-26-2016
