Henry Co. Med Center Budget Issues
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According to the Henry County Medical Center, beds are empty and it is not because people in the community are not sick. “People have less insurance so we’re seeing them not going to the doctor as frequently, they are looking for other alternatives,” said Thomas Ghee, the Chief Executive Officer for the county-owned hospital. He said unemployment in the area is at 12 percent, which is well over the national average, and has contributed to the hospital’s major drop in patients. “We’re worried people will not get the care that they need, people will delay it, they will get sicker.” The medical center is the largest employer in the county, putting 700 people to work. Fewer patients equals limited money to keep the hospital up and running. Ghee said for right now, they are relying on incentive dollars for their electronic medical records program and Medicare funding, the two brings in millions of dollars for the center, but that could all change.” If we don’t have income coming in to support those kind of programs we’re not going to be able to have them long term in the community.” Still Ghee remains hopeful that the future will be brighter. “If we can get the uninsured, insured that’s gonna help hospitals as well.”
