As more than 20 rural hospitals in Alabama are at an immediate risk of closing their doors, Congressman Shomari Figures introduced legislation to provide financial support to those struggling hospitals.
One of Figures’ top priorities since entering office earlier this year has been improving the health care system. His new bipartisan bill, named the Rural Hospital Stabilization Act, aims to tackle one aspect of the issue that is central to his district and the state.
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The legislation would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to distribute grants to provide financial assistance to rural hospitals. The grant money of up to $5 million per hospital could be used toward operational costs and projects to repair or upgrade systems, facilities, and equipment.
“As we sit here today, there are at least four hospitals in the district that are on the verge of closing,” Figures, D-Mobile, told Alabama Daily News. “They are literally operating almost on a month-to-month status.”
In Alabama, 22 rural hospitals are at immediate risk of closing, and 26 are at risk of closure, according to a Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform report.
“I think everybody understands the importance that a hospital is to a community,” Figures told ADN. “Not just from a health care access standpoint, but from an economic standpoint.”
Figures introduced the bill alongside Republican Rep. Brian Jack of Georgia, a fellow freshman member. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, is a cosponsor. Georgia, like Alabama, has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Alex Angle and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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