MARTIN COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – Details of ECU Health’s proposal to reopen Martin General Hospital as a Rural Emergency Hospital are now being shared with the public.
WITN learned that ECU Health submitted a proposal for the hospital in mid-May in response to a “request for proposal” from Martin County.
According to the proposal, ECU Health is looking for a “lease and operating agreement and/or other ancillary agreements by and between ECU Health (and/or an ECU Health controlled affiliate) and Martin County…”
ECU Health will assume the responsibility of reopening and operating the hospital.
ECU says that any final agreement must include a commitment by Martin County to assume all costs associated with refurbishing the existing property.
The proposal also discusses a future new Rural Emergency Hospital facility that the county would be responsible for funding. ECU Health would have exclusive site selection rights for the new facility.
ECU Health says it would aim to develop a new facility within the first three to ten years following the reopening of the existing hospital.
“While ECU Health believes a new facility is necessary to support our future-state vision for the Martin County REH and regional system of care objectives, our initial timeline and project plan development focus will be on the timely re-establishment of essential health care services in the existing facility. It is our intent that detailed timeline development for a new facility that can efficiently support the longer-term health care needs of Martin County and the broader region would commence following the successful reopening of the existing facility,” the proposal says.
The proposal says any definitive agreement would also “provide for reasonable options to modify services or unwind operations in the event financial losses of the REH become insurmountable and/or funding solutions/commitments identified by the parties are no longer viable.”
ECU Health proposes a close date for a deal by December 31st, and if approved, the reopening is expected to happen on or before August 2nd, 2028.
In the proposal, ECU Health CEO Michael Waldrum acknowledges challenges that led to Martin General Hospital’s closure in August of 2023.
“…increasing costs of capital, particularly impacting aging health care facilities like those in eastern NC; health care workforce shortages that amplify existing access constraints in rural communities; and an uncertain regulatory environment with downward pressure on health care reimbursement that is magnified in rural areas,” Waldrum writes, “Despite these challenges, ECU Health remains a mission-focused rural academic health care organization committed to transformation of traditional care delivery systems that enhance access to highquality, reliable, patient-centered care; ensure sustainability; and result in improved outcomes for the patients and communities we have the privilege to serve.”
ECU Health cites its established close connections with Martin County and Martin General Hospital over the years.
“Year over year, ECU Health hospitals have consistently cared for all levels of inpatient care needs from the Martin County community. In FY23, more than 70 percent of all inpatient care from Martin County was delivered by an ECU Health hospital,” the proposal says.
The proposal will be discussed at the commissioners’ next meeting on June 4th.
Full proposal below:
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