PRINTER'S NO. 3009
No. 246 Session of 1990
INTRODUCED BY J. TAYLOR, KOSINSKI, WOGAN, KENNEY, BILLOW, HESS, COHEN, FOX, J. L. WRIGHT, DISTLER, WESTON, NAHILL, LASHINGER, VROON, TIGUE, MELIO AND JOSEPHS, JANUARY 29, 1990
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, JANUARY 29, 1990
A RESOLUTION 1 To establish a Select Committee to study the financial stability 2 of Philadelphia acute care hospitals to determine the 3 immediate and long-term impact on the health of the citizens 4 of Philadelphia. 5 WHEREAS, Eighteen of the 32 acute care general hospitals in 6 Philadelphia operated at a deficit in fiscal year 1988; and 7 WHEREAS, Four Philadelphia hospitals have recently filed for 8 bankruptcy; and 9 WHEREAS, Eleven Philadelphia hospitals are in technical 10 default of their bonds; and 11 WHEREAS, Temple University Hospital recently closed its 12 regional trauma center for financial reasons; and 13 WHEREAS, Twenty-three Philadelphia hospitals have recently 14 sued the Department of Public Welfare on the inadequacy of the 15 inpatient medical assistance payments; and 16 WHEREAS, Philadelphia hospitals serve a disproportionate 17 share of Medical Assistance patients; and 18 WHEREAS, The health of the citizens of Philadelphia may be at
1 risk if additional hospitals curtail or terminate services; 2 therefore be it 3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives establish a 4 Select Committee to review the financial stability of 5 Philadelphia hospitals and the health care needs of the city and 6 determine the immediate and long-term impact on the health of 7 the citizens of Philadelphia; and be it further 8 RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives 9 appoint a committee of four members of the majority party and 10 four members of the minority party to conduct the study and make 11 a report to the House of Representatives on the financial 12 condition of Philadelphia hospitals, the causes of any financial 13 instability, the health care needs of the city, and the 14 immediate and long-term impact on the health of the citizens of 15 Philadelphia, as well as recommendations for government action; 16 and be it further 17 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take 18 testimony and make its study at such places as it deems 19 necessary within this Commonwealth, and each member of the 20 committee shall have power to administer oaths and affirmations 21 to witnesses appearing before the committee; and be it further 22 RESOLVED, That the committee is authorized to hire such staff 23 and assistants as it deems necessary, and the fees and expenses 24 therefor and the fees and expenses incurred by the committee 25 shall be paid from accounts under the control of the Chief 26 Clerk, in an amount not to exceed $50,000; and be it further 27 RESOLVED, That the committee make a report of its findings 28 and recommendations to the House of Representatives as soon as 29 possible. A16L82JAM/19900H0246R3009 - 2 -