Crowe announces grants for local hospitals

Published 4:23 pm Thursday, May 14, 2020

NASHVILLE —State Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), Chairman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, announced Thursday, May 14, that three hospitals in Senate District three are receiving a total of $409,635 in Small and Rural Hospital Readiness Grants administered by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. The grants are to support hospitals facing unusual and immediate financial pressures due to the ongoing response to the novel coronavirus.

“Our small and rural hospitals are especially suffering due to the spread of COVID-19 and the temporary loss in revenue resulting from postponing elective surgeries and doctor’s visits,” said Senator Crowe. “These grants will help ensure these hospitals remain operational and continue to serve our communities. Their continued operations are increasingly important during this public health crisis.”

Hospitals in Senate District three receiving the grants include:

•  Franklin Woods Community Hospital for $136,545;

•  Sycamore Shoals Hospital for $136,545; and

•  Unicoi County Hospital for $136,545

Funds for these grants are allocated from the state’s Fiscal Year 2020/2021 COVID-19 response appropriation, passed by the General Assembly in March and supported by Senator Crowe. The grants will serve as a bridge over the coming weeks as patient volumes decline and new federal funds become available.

“I was happy to support the COVID-19 response budget appropriation to provide necessary resources to areas such as essential services during this unprecedented time. I will continue to support our small and local hospitals as they provide important services to our citizens,” added Crowe.