Governor Kemp announces grants totaling six million dollars for rural hospitals

Governor Brian Kemp (2022-2026) | GOVERNOR BRIAN P. KEMP OFFICE of the GOVERNOR

By Peach Tree Times

Jun 18, 2024

Governor Brian P. Kemp announced this week that 13 rural hospitals in Georgia will receive a total of $6 million in grants under the Dual Track Rural Hospital Support program. The program, managed by the Department of Community Health's (DCH) State Office of Rural Health (SORH), allows hospitals to choose between funding new or existing graduate medical education (GME) programs or direct hospital support through a single application process.

"Since I took office, my administration has worked to deliver on the promise that we would work with state and local partners to develop Georgia's rural communities, including efforts to improve our rural healthcare systems," said Governor Kemp. "These awards will provide further support to those hospitals that serve rural Georgians and communities in need."

The GME funds are designated for supporting programs that offer additional training for physicians who have completed medical school and wish to specialize further. Direct hospital support funds aim to enhance access to healthcare, ensure adequate staffing, and make financial and operational improvements. Each selected hospital received between $250,000 and $1 million to strengthen access to quality care for Georgia’s rural communities.

“Proactively working to address healthcare disparities within rural communities continues to be a priority for the agency,” stated DCH Commissioner Russel Carlson. “This grant is just one way we are strengthening healthcare access in underserved regions and investing in Georgia’s healthcare workforce.”

Funded through the state’s Rural Hospital Stabilization Grant established in 2014, the Dual Track Rural Hospital Support Grant has awarded over $40 million since its inception.

“These grant awards reflect our commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of rural hospitals and providing effective solutions,” said Joel Presley, executive director of SORH. “These funds will provide support to initiatives that address critical needs for both Georgia’s rural hospitals and citizens. I’m excited to see how these grants will help drive quality healthcare in these communities.”

Governor Kemp has collaborated with the Georgia General Assembly on several measures aimed at improving healthcare access and affordability in Georgia's rural areas:

- Passing the Patients First Act: Since its passage in 2019, insurance premiums statewide have decreased by an average of 11 percent while the number of carriers increased from four to ten. Marketplace enrollment also rose from approximately 458K to 1.3 million Georgians.

- Expanding Rural Physician Tax Credit: HB 82 expanded this tax credit earlier this year to include dentists, offering qualifying professionals a $5,000 tax credit per year for up to five years.

- Student Loan Forgiveness for Rural Healthcare Professionals: HB 872 provides service cancelable loans for dental students who agree to practice in rural areas.

The recipients of the 2024 Dual Track Rural Hospital Support Grant are:

Graduate Medical Education Funding:

- John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital (Thomasville, GA) - $1M

- Colquitt Regional Medical Center (Moultrie, GA) - $1M

- Coffee Regional Medical Center (Douglas, GA) - $250,000

- Memorial Health Meadows Hospital (Vidalia, GA) - $250,000

- Fairview Park Hospital (Dublin, GA) - $250,000

Hospital Support Funding:

- Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin (Milledgeville, GA) - $500,000

- Emanuel Medical Center (Swainsboro, GA) - $500,000

- Effingham Health System (Springfield, GA) - $500,000

- Putnam General Hospital (Eatonton, GA) - $500,000