The amended 2020 fiscal year (FY2020) budget will contain $5 million directed at struggling rural hospitals. It was amended by House Appropriations Chair Representative Terry England (R – Auburn) and Senate Appropriations Chair Senator Jack Hill (R – Reidsville).

“In light of the recent flooding at Grady Hospital in Atlanta and the outbreak of COVID-19, it has brought to the forefront the need to have a stable safety net in place for health care,” said Rep. England. “Our rural hospitals are the backbone of that network even though we do not always think about them that way. These funds and the strike team will help stabilize those facilities in an immediate and long term fashion.

“Rural hospitals have never been more important and these funds and the fiscal assistance they will receive will pay huge dividends,” said Senator Hill.

These funds will be expended through the Office of Rural Health and be based on the number of beds. Additionally, the funds will bring an agreement by the hospitals for a review by a Department of Community Health “strike team” who will evaluate the hospitals and recommend best practices.