Maryland Senate President Thomas Mike Miller Jr. told Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Jr. (R) Feb. 3 to release money for Cheverly, Md.-based Prince George's Hospital Center by next week or the legislature will force him to, according to a report from The Washington Times.
Here are five things to know about the issue.
1. The hospital funds were part of last year's state budget, but the funds were not part of this year's $42.3 billion budget, according to the report.
2. Sen. Miller, a Democrat who represents part of Prince George's County, Maryland, said the money is critical to keep the hospital afloat while a facility is built in Largo, Md.
3. If a full commitment for the funding is not in place by next week, state lawmakers will move forward with a bill that would force the money to be spent, Sen. Miller said, according to The Washington Times.
4. According to the report, Maryland had agreed in 2011 to provide $15 million each year to Cheverly-based Dimensions Healthcare, which runs Prince George's Hospital Center, to aid in the transition to the new facility. But the agreement expired after Gov. Hogan was sworn in.
5. A spokesperson for Gov. Hogan said the county already receives "record high" levels of funding, with $1.34 billion this year.