Council Approves $245 Million Health Care Omnibus Act

Also during its final session of 2006, the DC Council unanimously approved the Community Access to Health Care Omnibus Amendment Act of 2006, which allocates $245 million in tobacco settlement funds to improve the City’s health outcomes. In addition to supporting preventive, urgent and emergency care services, $116 million will go toward the construction of new health facilities in Wards 6, 7 and 8, and up to $80 million for emergency services upgrades in current health care facilities, such as Greater Southeast Community Hospital and Howard University Hospital. The Rand Corporation will receive a $1.5 million grant to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the District’s emergency care delivery system.