ECU Health has long been dedicated to improving health care access and outcomes in eastern North Carolina, and its latest initiative aims to build a sustainable health care solution for Martin County. At a public hearing in front of a standing-room only crowd at the Martin County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 4, ECU Health CEO and Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University Dean Dr. Michael Waldrum outlined the vision to re-establish essential health care services for Martin County and the surrounding communities.
ECU Health’s proposal would create the state’s first Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) in Martin County, initially located in the existing medical facility. The proposal outlines the organization’s commitment to advocating for a $70 million investment from the State of North Carolina to build a new Rural Care Center in Martin County that would serve as the future home of the REH with the potential to expand outpatient services including preventative care.
REH is a new Medicare designation designed to sustain essential health care services in communities that may otherwise be unable to support a traditional hospital. REHs offer emergency room care, observation services, and other outpatient health services. These services are limited to short-term care, with patients staying an average of less than 24 hours.
Importantly, because REHs cannot provide inpatient services except in very limited situations, ECU Health is also advocating for $150 million to expand inpatient capacity at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, a campus of ECU Health Medical Center. ECU Health Beaufort Hospital is a Hill-Burton Act hospital built in 1958, highlighting the importance of investing in modernizing the facility to support the regional system of care.
“Solving the rural health challenge means pursuing transformative solutions that create sustainable heath care access,” said Dr. Waldrum. “ECU Health’s expertise is rural health care, and our proposal reflects our unwavering commitment to our mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. In my conversations with State leaders, it is clear there is a shared desire to support rural communities like Martin County. The State investments we’re seeking are critical to support the development of a regional system of care which is central to creating sustainability in and around Martin County.”
Like many rural regions, eastern North Carolina faces high rates of chronic illnesses and socioeconomic disparities. Martin County is one of North Carolina’s least healthy counties, according to a study by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. With high rates of obesity, smoking and premature deaths, the county’s health challenges underscore the need for local access to high-quality care.
Multiple Martin County residents provided public comments during the meeting with many thanking ECU Health and Martin County leaders for their commitment to supporting the community.
The Martin County Board of Commissioners will consider ECU Health’s proposal and public input before determining next steps.