CareSource Rural Access Advancement Program provides cash crutch for rural hospitals

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Georgia ranks third in the nation for hospital closures. Since 2010, Georgians for a Healthy Future reports nine rural hospitals have closed in Georgia, leaving 26% of Georgians without critical services.

Jason Bearden, President for CareSource, said the Rural Access Advancement Program will create an advisory board to provide emergency funding to rural hospitals to help support them quickly when they are struggling to make payments.

Which can provide emergency funding to rural hospitals to help.

“Hospitals are the heart of the Georgia economy and they need our support,” said Bearden.

CareSource announced the new program would invest $5 million to address cash flow challenges and help hospitals pay their bills and their employees.

Taylor Regional Hospital CEO Jonathon Greene says it’s a cashflow crutch.

“It’s a devastating event when a hospital closes,” Greene said.

According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, research found that when a rural hospital closes, travel time to care increases by about 30 minutes, the economy takes a hit and mortality rates rise.

State Senator Larry Walker represents several counties in middle Georgia with five hospitals, including Taylor-Regional. He praised the program as a lifeline of support.

“Industry does not want to locate in an area that doesn’t have good healthcare, these hospitals require quality care and economic boosts in rural areas,” said Walker.

Once the facility has stabilized, the funds will be repaid and reinvested into the program.