WASHINGTON (7News) — 7News first reported on serious staffing and care issues at Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center last fall.

The district promoted the public/private partnership as life-changing for an underserved area of DC that was in desperate need of a state-of-the-art hospital.

However, 7News uncovered that Cedar Hill is still plagued by problems, and as some see it, falling short of its promise.

“We’re talking about $434 million in taxes raised to (for) this hospital,” said Ward 8 Councilman Trayon White. “Universal Health Services has not done a great job providing quality services.”

Months after Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center opened, 7News reported on documented violations related to patient care.

Thursday, 7News discovered issues at the hospital have gotten the attention of city leaders.

“If you’re going to sit up here and invest all this money into the hospital and put it here as we advocated for, then again, do right by the people,” said Ward 8 Board Education member and mother LaJoy Johnson- Law. “If you promised A, B, C, D, and E, then the community deserves A, B, C, D, and E.”

Johnson- Law brought her daughter to Cedar Hill for care. However, after a 9.5-hour wait, Johnson–Law said Cedar sent her to another hospital because they couldn’t treat the girl.

“It really does hurt because everybody wants this hospital to be so successful,” Johnson- Law said. “And it still can be.”

7News spoke with Councilman Trayon White on Thursday, not long after what he calls an intense meeting with the hospital board. White said Cedar Hill does not have the staff or the systems.

“We’ve had more services at United Medical Center than we have in this hospital,” said White. “We’re short almost 500 employees, the fully staffed, this hospital.”

Councilman white also told 7News the hospital is losing millions right now.

“The billing has not been correct since the hospital opened,” said White.

7News asked the councilman if he would feel comfortable sending a family member there.

“Depending on the issue,” said White.

White and Johnson-Law aren’t the only city leaders wanting answers about what’s going on at Cedar Hill.

7News learned that multiple council members have sent letters to the hospital asking the same questions.

Councilman white also suggested D.C. leaders might call hospital administrators to testify about the situation before the full city council.

7News reached out to G.W. Health, which runs Cedar Hill in partnership with Universal Health Services, but did not hear back from them in time for this report.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With snow and a surge of Arctic air expected to bring winter weather to the Washington, D.C. region and surrounding areas this weekend, forecasters and emergency officials are urging residents to prepare now, from stocking up on essentials to making a plan for travel, school and work disruptions.

What we know:

Weather models show a significant winter storm could impact the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area late Saturday into Sunday, with snow likely falling across the region and very cold temperatures building in behind the system.

This Arctic blast may usher in bitter cold and frigid wind chills, making it feel much colder than the actual air temperature once snow begins and after it ends.

What is the polar vortex? Why it matters as snow and Arctic cold threaten the Northeast

What to stock at home

Officials recommend having enough supplies to last at least several days in case travel becomes difficult, according to the CDC.

That includes:

• Food that does not require refrigeration or cooking
• Drinking water
• Prescription medications and basic first-aid supplies
• Flashlights, batteries and phone chargers
• Blankets, warm clothing and extra layers
• Baby supplies or pet food if needed

It’s also a good idea to make sure you have rock salt or ice melt and a working snow shovel.

20 November 2024, Lower Saxony, Garbsen: An excavator loads road salt onto its shovel. Photo: Alicia Windzio/dpa (Photo by Alicia Windzio/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Travel prep before snow begins

If you need to drive during or after the storm, preparation is critical.

Before snow arrives:

• Fill up your gas tank
• Check windshield wipers, tires and antifreeze
• Keep an emergency kit in your car with blankets, snacks, water and a flashlight
• Monitor road conditions and weather alerts

Once snow begins, travel can become treacherous quickly, especially on major routes like I-95 and local roads. Officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel during and immediately after snowfall.

School and work planning

Snow and icy conditions can lead to delays, early dismissals or closures for schools and some workplaces.

Families are encouraged to:

• Review remote learning or work-from-home plans
• Make childcare arrangements in advance
• Keep an eye on district announcements and employer updates

Planning ahead can help reduce stress if schedules change quickly, according to FEMA.

FILE – A young woman scratches snow and ice from the windscreen of her car. (Carmen Jaspersen/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Stay safe during extreme cold and possible power outages

In addition to snow, dangerously cold temperatures can pose serious health risks, especially if power outages occur.

According to FEMA, extreme cold can increase the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning and house fires, particularly when people rely on alternative heating sources. 

Officials recommend:

• Installing and testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home
• Keeping anything that can burn at least three feet away from space heaters and fireplaces
• Never using an oven, grill or generator to heat your home
• Using generators only outdoors and at least 20 feet away from doors and windows

If the power goes out and indoor temperatures become unsafe, FEMA advises relocating to a heated community space if one is available.

What we don’t know:

The exact total of snow and the duration of impacts depend on the storm’s track and strength. Some models show more snow farther northwest, while others keep totals closer to the I-95 corridor.

Forecasts may change leading up to the event, and officials say conditions can vary widely across the region.

Why you should care:

Even a few inches of snow combined with bitter cold and icy conditions can halt travel, disrupt routines and create hazardous conditions, especially during peak travel times.

Preparing now, before stores become crowded and roads become slick, can help you avoid last-minute stress and stay safe through the storm.

What’s next:

Residents are encouraged to:

• Monitor updated forecasts from the National Weather Service and FOX 5 DC.
• Sign up for weather and emergency alerts
• Follow guidance from local officials as the storm approaches

During fifth period at Walt Whitman high school in Bethesda, Maryland, dozens of students chose to walk out of class for about an hour of Tuesday’s school day.

“This is the world we’re growing up in, and it’s really important that we are politically active,” said Dalia Rees, a junior at the school.

Similar scenes played out at Montgomery Blair High and Dominion High in Sterling, Virginia.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Loudoun County Public Schools have policies that allow students to peacefully demonstrate — and on Tuesday, hundreds of students exercised their rights, joining other walkouts at schools across the country.

Those thousands of students nationwide protested the Trump administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and immigration enforcement that in recent weeks has turned violent.

At Walt Whitman, Rees and her fellow junior Evan Schwartz told News4 they planned the demonstration to protest ICE specifically, after the shooting that killed a Minnesota mother in Minneapolis earlier this month.

The students have demands for their school district.

“One demand is that MCPS promises a policy of non-cooperation with ICE, and we’re hoping for Whitman to educate students about civil liberties.