An A rating translates to a lower interest rate which means that less interest would have to be paid back over the life of the loan. In FY 99, FMH ranked among the lowest in cost of the 53 hospitals in Maryland. Most of the hospitals below FMH in costs are smaller and do not offer the range of services provided by FMH to this community. To the extent FMH is successful in generating profits and charitable support, it reduces the need and amount of money that would have to be borrowed to meet the community's healthcare needs. Of course, borrowing money means the principal and interest must be paid back adding to the cost of healthcare.
Charitable support is critically important.
The project includes construction of a new labor and delivery areas and the special care nursery. This legislative action has already increased the utilization and occupancy of our existing birthing facility. The Special Care Nursery cares for low birth weight babies and babies with respiratory distress. FMH performs procedures in all surgical specialties with the exception of open heart surgery, organ transplants, and is actively involved in the tissue and organ harvesting programs with the state of Maryland. The number of visits to the FMH Emergency Department continues to grow each year.