1199SEIU MD/DC supports ACLU-DC’s call for hearing on water crisis at St. Elizabeths

“This water emergency is indicative of the lack of oversight and management of the healthcare system,” said Lisa Brown, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU MD/DC after news broke that St. Elizabeths hospital – D.C.’s only public psychiatric hospital – has been without running water since late September. Noting that the emergency especially affects residents and caregivers in Wards 7 and 8, Brown charged that “in addition to neglecting St. Elizabeths, the city did not provide oversight to United Medical Center’s contracted management team, leading to service closures, funding cuts, and further erosion of quality healthcare East of the River.” The union represents social workers at St. Elizabeths and has joined the ACLU-DC’s call for the DC City Council to hold an oversight hearing on the crisis and to thoroughly investigate the causes and remedies – both short-term and long-term.

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