Proud Priority: Expanding Access to Healthcare in Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, alongside the Prince George’s County State Delegation, announced a significant victory in healthcare funding, securing $38.8 million during the 2024 State Legislative Session. These investments aim to address critical gaps in healthcare access and infrastructure, including:
- 1050 physician deficit
- 475 hospital bed deficits
- Location-based inequities in access, infrastructure, and investment
These investments are crucial for ensuring that all County residents have access to healthcare infrastructure comparable to other jurisdictions in Maryland. For more details on Prince George’s County's healthcare and social needs assessment, as well as its investment strategy to address essential health equity gaps, please refer to the full report.
Expanding Obstetric Services
Prince George’s County has made significant strides in expanding healthcare access, particularly in obstetric care. The Maryland Healthcare Commission recently approved the expansion of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center's (LHDCMC) in Lanham, MD, to include obstetrics care in its comprehensive women’s health program. This expansion is in support of the County’s commitment to investing in the health of its residents from birth.
- The expansion will allow for approximately 2,000 babies to be delivered in the County each year.
- The facility will feature private rooms for labor and delivery, post-delivery suites, dedicated C-section operating rooms, and a Level II Special Care Nursery.
- The expansion is scheduled to be fully operational by 2028.
Key Investments Towards Healthy Communities
The Alsobrooks Administration has made healthcare access a top priority, with investments aimed at promoting, enhancing, and preserving the physical, and mental health, and well-being of all Prince Georgians. Some key projects include:
- Investing $20 million to open the County’s first behavioral health center: Luminis Behavioral Health Facility.
- Securing $67 million from the State of Maryland for a new cancer center opening in Spring 2024, in partnership with University of Maryland Capital Region Health.
- Breaking ground on a new, state-of-the-art public health center.
- Allocating an additional 8.5% ($2.5 million) of the County budget to expand staffing and resources in the County Health Department.
- Funding the Dyer Care Center, a new crisis stabilization center to support residents experiencing a mental health crisis.
- Expanding Prince George’s County’s mobile suicide and crisis response team.
Continuing to Expand Healthcare Access and Equity
Looking ahead, Prince George’s County is on a path to a healthier future, thanks to strategic investments and initiatives aimed at expanding healthcare access and infrastructure. Despite facing significant challenges, including physician and hospital bed deficits, the County has made remarkable progress.
Another successful legislative session at the Maryland General Assembly allowed the County to make investments in transformative steps toward equitable healthcare. This, coupled with the County’s broader healthcare initiatives, underscores a commitment to addressing critical gaps and ensuring comprehensive and accessible healthcare for all residents.
The County continues to prioritize healthy communities, with investments in public health centers, behavioral health facilities, and crisis stabilization centers. These efforts aim to enhance healthcare services and promote the well-being of all Prince Georgians.
Moving forward, the County remains dedicated to collaboration and investment, ensuring that healthcare infrastructure meets the unique needs of the community.