In rural Martin County, NC, Ascendient is working with the Board of County Commissioners to reestablish healthcare services after Quorum Health shuttered the county's only hospital. At a packed public hearing on Oct. 12, Dawn Carter told county residents that despite the sudden closure – Quorum's lease extended through 2028 – she remained hopeful.
She said the new option for a Rural Emergency Hospital might be attractive to potential health system partners looking for a more sustainable model for Martin General.
"Emergency rooms are critically needed, but there’s just not enough volume in some rural communities to make it financially viable. And so this designation (REH) creates higher payment rates for the services that are provided," a local newspaper reported. "For the first time that I’m aware of, actually, the Federal Government will pay these organizations a set fee just essentially to keep their doors open."
See more of Dawn's comments in the news video below. For our in-depth guide to Rural Emergency Hospitals, click here.
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