Medstar Georgetown University Hospital has taken a key step towards final approval of its proposed $567M hospital building.

A District regulatory committee has recommended approval, albeit the recommendation hinges on whether Medstar agrees to create a new cancer screening program with appropriate follow-up procedures for both uninsured and underinsured District residents, the Washington Business Journal reports.

Medstar officials had previously agreed to the terms of the recommendation, and have their sights set on creating a need model of care this summer if approval is granted. Final approval now sits in the hands of Amha Sealssie, the director of the DC health planning commission. A decision is expected by the end of this month.

As for the new hospital building, Medstar is planning a 477k SF medical and surgical pavilion on a surface parking lot just east of the main hospital. The building would house a new emergency department, new patient and operating rooms, and a rooftop helipad. Medstar hopes to begin construction later this year with completion scheduled for 2020. We might hear about this project at Bisnow's recently announced Mid-Atlantic Healthcare Forum in May. [WBJ]