Daniel Fowler, The Examiner
2007-06-27 07:00:00.0
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Annapolis -

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown declined Tuesday to specifically address Prince George’s County’s decision to withhold money from the county hospital system, but he said the state remains willing to work toward a long-term solution.

It’s important to restore “the health and vitality” of the hospital system, Brown told The Examiner. This includes a “framework and the funding to achieve long-term stability,” he said.

Although the state is open to helping achieve a long-term solution, Brown said, Maryland has fewer options available when the legislature is not in session.

On April 9, before the conclusion of the General Assembly session, County Executive Jack Johnson and the state reached an agreement to save the hospital system, but the County Council refused to approve the eight-year, $329 million deal. The county instead decided to fund the hospital system through June 2008.

“We are still at the table figuratively,” said Brown, a former state delegate from Prince George’s. “We never walked away from the table. We are willing to continue discussions with the county and all stakeholders.”