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.
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