CHEVERLY, MD– U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski and U.S. Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (both D-Md.) today announced steps they’re taking on the federal level that would make Prince George’s County Hospital Center (PGHC) a central partner in a new emergency preparedness partnership, the Maryland/National Capital Region Emergency Preparedness Partnership, or (M/NCR-EPP), that would boost the National Capital Region’s emergency response capacity.

Senator Mikulski and Congresswoman Edwards made the announcement during a visit to PGHC today. They kicked off the event with a roundtable discussion about the hospital’s critical role in the community, the challenges it faces, and the urgent need for health care reform. The event culminated in a tour of the hospital’s operating room, a critical component in any disaster response effort. They were joined by Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown, Maryland Secretary of Health & Mental Hygiene John M. Colmers, Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson, and Prince George’s County Hospital Center representatives.

“We are a high-risk and high-threat nation, and today’s threats were unthinkable years ago. With its premier medical and academic institutions, Maryland is a critical partner in protecting the country,” Senator Mikulski said. “The Maryland/National Capital Region Emergency Preparedness Partnership will provide a strong, coordinated response to large-scale medical emergencies in the National Capital Region. I will continue to fight for federal investments to protect Marylanders and the homeland.”

“Sen. Mikulski and I are dedicated to achieving federal funding to help make Prince George’s County Hospital Center a key component of a new state and federal emergency preparedness initiative,” said Congresswoman Edwards. “Prince George’s County Hospital already serves 180,000 patients a year, and being the only trauma center serving the region, the hospital plays a critical role in any emergency response in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. I am proud to work with Senator Mikulski in our effort to ensure that residents of Prince George’s County and the entire region have access to the highest quality medical and emergency care.”

M/NCR-EPP would coordinate emergency disaster response for the National Capital Region, boosting the area’s capacity to respond to a large-scale medical emergency caused by biological, chemical, or nuclear attacks, pandemics, or any other disaster resulting in large numbers of casualties. The initiative would involve a partnership between PGHC, Malcolm Grow Medical Center on Andrews Air Force Base, and University of Maryland Medical Systems. PGHC will be developed as the central facility for this partnership, providing training and trauma surge capacity.

Senator Mikulski, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has requested $5 million in fiscal year 2010 federal funding to support the M/NCR-EPP. Congresswoman Edwards has requested $25 million in fiscal year 2010 federal funds for the initiative. Both requests must now go through the Congressional appropriations process, which should be complete by Oct. 1, 2009, before funding levels are finalized and approved.

During today’s visit, Senator Mikulski also led a discussion on the urgent need for health care reform now, providing a legislative update on Senate efforts to reform America’s health care system. Senator Mikulski was tapped by Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) to help lead the Senate’s effort to ensure quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Senate Democrats are working to pass a bill that ensures quality, affordable health care for all Americans by August, with the goal of having it signed into law by October.

“We can’t fix the economy without fixing health care so families can afford it and businesses can afford it. We can’t afford not to fix health care. Our plan will protect people’s choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans, so if you like what you have, you can keep it,” said Senator Mikulski, who is leading the Senate effort on improving health care quality.

“A national health care quality strategy will provide solutions to the biggest problems – medical errors, preventable hospital readmissions and failure to manage chronic disease – that severely impact people, their lives, their checkbooks and national health care costs. Emphasizing quality improves lives, saves lives and helps pay for reform by saving money,” Senator Mikulski said.