US Rep. Lewis Expedites Privatized Grady’s Tax-Exempt Status

By Jonathan Springston, Senior Staff Writer, The Atlanta Progressive News (May 12, 2008)

(APN) ATLANTA – The Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation (GMHC) announced Friday, May 9, 2008, that the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has granted recognition of the new privatized board’s tax-exempt, charitable status.

US Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) expedited the IRS review of their application, which usually takes several months to approve, Atlanta Progressive News has learned.

"As a subcommittee chairman of the [House] Ways and Means Committee, I have developed an on-going relationship with the IRS Commissioner," Lewis said in a press release. "I am so pleased that I could offer my assistance in speeding up this process."

"The funding for Grady was hanging in the balance, and I hope that this expedited determination will allow the hospital to take another step to continue the valuable health care they deliver to those in the Atlanta metro area who need it the most," he added.

Congressman Lewis, who as previously reported by APN, also has apparently taken the side of Atlanta Housing Authority in the demolition of public housing, is being challenged for the first time in several years by State Rep. "Able" Mable Thomas.

Grady’s privatization also received the support of US Sens. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA).

"This is another important day for Grady," A.D. "Pete" Correll, Chairman of the GMHC, said in a press release.

"[GMHC] is now officially recognized as a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization - another critical step in allowing us to get Grady the help it needs to keep serving this community," Correll said.

Correll told APN on May 5, 2008, that he filed the over 1,000-page document in mid-April and appeared confident the process would move quickly.

"This is just the latest example of how our entire state is pulling together to strengthen Grady’s historic mission as our region’s safety-net hospital and the only Level I trauma center in North Georgia," Correll added in the same press release.

APN is working on viewing the application sent to the IRS, which by law should be available to anyone in the public who wishes to examine it. APN has now made a second request for the document.

With the tax-exempt determination granted, the GMHC moves one step closer to taking over day-to-day operations of the Grady Health System from the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority.

The GMHC hopes to commence the lease on May 20, 2008.

About the author:

Jonathan Springston is a Senior Staff Writer for The Atlanta Progressive News and may be reached at jonathan@atlantaprogressivenews.com

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