Prince George’s County (Map, News) - The board of the health care company that runs the cash-strapped Prince George’s County Hospital system voted Monday to drop a $14 million lawsuit against the county, continuing what appears to be a recent thawing of relations between the parties.

“I thought … it would be an opportunity to start fresh, to eliminate any barriers that this may have with the [county] government,” new board chairman Bill Williams said.

“I’m hoping that as we move forward that all the parties that have an interest in solving the problem can get together and work together,” Williams said. The hospital system has “sufficient funding to the end of the year,” Williams said, and he believes “closure is off the table.”

Dimensions Healthcare System has been locked in a struggle with the county for several months, with Prince George’s withholding $14 million from the system until four board members resign. The company had refused that demand and has discussed shutting down the system.

“With that [lawsuit] out of the way now, there is certainly now the room for dialogue,” said John Erzen, a spokesman for County Executive Jack Johnson.

But Erzen said any discussion of releasing funds is “premature.”

“[Johnson] would like to sit and talk with Bill Williams about the direction of the hospital system,” Erzen said.

Last week, Johnson called the recent reshuffling of Dimensions’ board a “major first step.” But when questioned about possibly releasing funds, Johnson said, “We still have a lawsuit we have to worry about.”

On Sept. 13, the board ousted former Chairman Calvin Brown, who had battled Johnson over control of the system, voted to make Williams chairman and selected Del. Barbara Frush, D-Prince George’s, to replace Brown.

With the ouster of Brown, the previous resignation of Donald Foran and the planned resignation of George Bone, it appears the county is slowly getting what it wants. Johnson had targeted the trio and Williams for removal. But Johnson wanted the designated positions held by Foran, Bone and Williams eliminated and filled by public members, which hasn’t happened.

County Council Chair Camille Exum said dropping the lawsuit “removes a barrier to dialogue,” but “Dimensions cannot be the team to lead us into the future.”

dfowler@dcexaminer