Eastman, Sandersville hospitals expected to receive $187,500 each in federal funding
Dodge County Hospital and Washington County Regional Medical Center are among 18 Georgia hospitals selected for funding through a new federal program.
EASTMAN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Rural hospitals in Eastman and Sandersville are each expected to receive approximately $187,500 in federal funding intended to help preserve health care services and prevent hospital closures.
Dodge County Hospital in Eastman and Washington County Regional Medical Center in Sandersville are among 18 Georgia hospitals selected for funding through the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program, according to an announcement from U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff’s office.
How hospitals may use the money
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $24.75 million to 132 hospitals nationwide through the new program. With each hospital expected to receive an equal amount, the individual awards would be approximately $187,500.
Hospitals can use the money to retain physicians, nurses, and other health care providers, according to HHS. The funding can also help hospitals maintain emergency, inpatient and other critical health care services.
Ossoff announces Georgia recipients
Ossoff’s office said the senator helped secure funding for the program as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Funding was included in the bipartisan government funding bill signed into law Feb. 3.
“Georgia’s rural hospitals have been under strain for years, made worse by recent cuts to Medicaid,” Ossoff said. “Bringing Republicans and Democrats in Congress together, I helped pass into law this new Federal funding to combat the GOP’s Medicaid cuts and help strengthen Georgia’s rural hospitals. Now the Federal funding is on its way.”
In announcing the awards, Ossoff linked the need for the program to Medicaid cuts approved by congressional Republicans last year. His office said the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program was created earlier this year to strengthen care and help prevent rural hospital closures.
The 18 Georgia recipients are AdventHealth Murray in Chatsworth, Appling General Hospital in Baxley, Burke Medical Center in Waynesboro, Dodge County Hospital in Eastman, Donalsonville Hospital in Donalsonville and Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald.
Other recipients include Emanuel Medical Center in Swainsboro, Evans Memorial Hospital in Claxton, Grady General Hospital in Cairo, Jefferson Hospital in Louisville, NGMC Habersham in Demorest and SGHS Camden Campus in St. Marys.
The remaining recipients are SGMC Berrien Campus in Nashville, Southwell Medical in Adel, Stephens County Hospital in Toccoa, Union General Hospital in Blairsville, University Hospital McDuffie in Thomson, and Washington County Regional Medical Center in Sandersville.
