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DEL.ICIO.USThe Speaker jumps into the Grady Hospital issue, promising ‘new life’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In an intriguing bit of legislative initiative, House Speaker Glenn Richardson just announced that he’s appointed a special committee to dip into the mess that is Grady Memorial Hospital — with the expressed purpose of keeping the trauma center alive.
“If you, like me, have been in a car crash, you will be taken to Grady. If you are burned, you will be taken to Grady. If you live in the metro area, you’ll be taken to Grady. If you’re anywhere in north Georgia, Grady is the only Level 1 Trauma Care Center. Most of Georgia’s medical residents train at Grady Hospital,” Richardson said in a press release.
Grady has been begging for state attention — more specifically, financial assistance.
Said Richardson: “Our goal is not to bail Grady out and simply fund the financial shortfall, but rather to examine the current situation with a fine-toothed comb and come back with a plan to give new life to Grady Hospital.”
Richardson appointed four Republicans to his committee, including Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), a nurse and chairman of the House committee on health matters; Ben Harbin (R-Evans), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
He named one Democrat — Pam Stephenson of Atlanta, who currently chairs the authority that oversees the hospital.
Comments
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By bodog
July 2, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
Harbin should be familiar with the danger and risk of trauma on the streets of ATL.
By JohnD
July 2, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
I am a liberal Democrat. Dennis Kucinich is a little too conservative for me. I am proud the Republican GA House Speaker sees the importance statewide of Grady.