Cookeville Regional Medical Center CEO Buffy Key said the total impact of the new federal budget may be a mixed impact on rural hospitals.
Key said she does have some concerns with the new bill, especially as it relates to Medicaid.
“I do think there’s some reasons to probably look at Medicaid a little closer,” Key said. “And so we are all just trying to assess right now, is this going to have a negative impact? A positive impact? What kind of impact will it really make? No matter what, we are still gonna take care of people.”
Key said one of the promising aspects of the new bill is the Rural Health Transformation Act. Key said the new act will set aside an estimated $50 billion for rural healthcare hospitals across the country.
“You know, people were concerned about Medicaid being cut and all of that, but at the same time, the bill also allows for some rural health monies to flow that have not before. So that’s just one of the really big things. And again, we are looking at that right now, to say okay, how can the state of Tennessee get involved with that and make sure our rural health facilities are taken care of.”
Key said one way CRMC is preparing now is by looking to partner with a strategy forecaster to help with facility planning, volume assessments, and market assessments. Key said CRMC will be prepared regardless of the type of impact.
“What we can assure you is that we are ahead of it,” Key said. “We are being proactive and looking at anything that may impact the community or the region and making sure we still have the space and all the services here for our patients.”
