After travelling more than 300 miles in two days and visiting nine rural hospitals, at least one Republican lawmaker hopes to help these medical facilities’ leaders address issues they are currently facing. Rep. Bill Werkheiser, R-Glennville, chairman of the House Industry and Labor Committee, recently introduced House Bill 1393 – which would allow rural hospitals to collaborate with other rural hospitals to negotiate contracts, such as purchasing contracts, staffing arrangements, and negotiating reimbursement rates.
Werkheiser said he visited the hospitals with HomeTown Health CEO Jimmy Lewis, who founded the company almost 30 years ago and has more than 70 member hospitals throughout the Southeast. The state representative said he also spoke to approximately 100 hospital CEOs and leaders during the recent Rural Hospital Day at the State Capitol to understand the issues.
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