$5.2 million in funding for rural hospitals
T oday, along with the Arkansas Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, I have announced the release of over $5.2 million in funding to support the long-term sustainability of rural hospitals. The Rural Hospital Sustainability Program is designed to strengthen rural communities, serve patients, promote economic development, and preserve access to healthcare.
The following hospitals will receive their 6-month funding allocation in the next few weeks based on their attainment of operational metrics:
■ ■ South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center – $1.72 million
■ ■ Chicot Memorial – $1.37 million
■ ■ Mena Regional Health System – $1.37 million
■ ■ DeWitt Hospital and Nursing Home – $774,000 These hospitals are leading the way in making smart, lasting changes to benefit rural Arkansans. I’m proud to support their long-term sustainability to help them effectively and efficiently serve all Arkansans.
All hospitals, including rural hospitals, play a pivotal role in caring for Arkansans across our state, and these funds are intended to help steady the financial situations of these critical facilities. This maximizes the use of the ARPA funding as it supports rural hospitals beyond one-time money.
As DFA Secretary Jim Hudson said, “Rural hospitals across Arkansas are in a better position to serve patients as a result of their work in this program. In addition to improved patient care, a financially strong local hospital is a key component of an area’s economic success. A partnership between the Governor’s Office, General Assembly, and rural hospital leaders made this program possible, maximizing the impact of grant funding.
Participating hospitals will be considered for funding to support financial viability through transformative or strategic operational change. Hospitals are required to:
■ ■ Select one of two hospital sustainability plan tracks
■ ■ Develop a remediation plan with clearly defined benchmarks
■ ■ Not use funds for legal fees, debt services, tax obligations, pension funding, or court settlement payments.
Funding allocations to participating hospitals were determined by a formula that considers the unique fiscal reality and need of each participating hospital.
Faith Based Initiatives Website
On Aug. 2, 2024, I launched my office’s Faith Based Initiatives website to unite Arkansas’ diverse faith communities around issues facing the Natural State. Faith leaders can sign up through the portal to join a network of other advocates addressing areas like childhood hunger, mental illness, maternal health, foster care, social media, and more.
I have signed Executive Orders forming working groups to address maternal health, foster care, and human trafficking, and works with advocacy groups around the state on issues facing Arkansans. By joining the Governor’s faith based initiatives team, faith groups can join these advocates and mobilize Arkansans in their communities around common goals.
Faith is the guiding light in my life and in the lives of so many Arkansans. Arkansas’ faith communities are built on serving others. When we unite our churches, temples, and faith-based nonprofits around the common issues facing our state, I know we’ll build a better, brighter Arkansas.
As we work to compile a list of faith communities willing to help, my team will reach out to these stakeholders to help raise awareness and address issues facing Arkansas.
Gov. Sarah Sanders
