Speaker on Grady: “This is not something you’d expect me to do.” No, most definitely not, but I say thank you, & to all, let's give the devil his due.

This weekend Bill Shipp wrote:

If Grady closed its doors, look what our state would lose:

-- A hospital that handles more than 900,000 patients a year, many of them indigent and unable to find care elsewhere. Without Grady, other hospitals would be crushed by throngs of new patients and added costs.

-- The only Level I trauma unit between Macon and Chattanooga.

-- A world-class burn-treatment unit.

-- A training facility for more than 25 percent of Georgia's doctors.
_______________

Today James Salzer reports in the AJC:

The state is finally getting involved in the funding crisis at Grady Hospital, but it's not Gov. Sonny Perdue who is leading the charge.

House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) announced this afternoon that he had appointed a special committee to study ways to keep Grady viable in the future.

"If you, like me, have been in a car crash, you will be taken to Grady," Richardson said. "If you are burned, you will be taken to Grady. If you live in the metro area, you'll be taken to Grady.

"Most of Georgia's medical residents train at Grady Hospital. Unfortunately, Grady itself is now on life support," he added. "It would be highly irresponsible for us to let this hospital continue operating as it is currently.
_______________

Regardless of your reason Mr. Speaker, I am glad you are stepping up to the plate. Who would have figured?