Dubious anniversary: Martin Co. reaches a year with no hospital

It’s been just over a year since Quorum Health Corporation closed Martin General Hospital and placed the facility into bankruptcy.

The Aug. 3, 2023 move, although anticipated by the Martin County Commissioners who were made aware of the hospital’s financial situation a year earlier and were warned of the looming plan, stunned the county’s citizenry.

The commissioners were closed-mouthed about the possible closing. According to correspondence from Quorum, former county manager James Bennett was apprised of the financial status of the hospital a year earlier, in July 2022.

The closing has left a scar on the county and the commissioners. The county’s monthly commission meetings are now held under an air of contention and mistrust.

However, Ben Eisner, speaking recently as the Martin County Attorney, does not believe Quorum Health had the best interest of patients in mind when closing.

“I believe that not enough has been discussed about the decision of which venue Williamston Hospital Corporation chose to file its bankruptcy case. As a North Carolina company, with its main business operations in the eastern part of North Carolina, it could have chosen to file its case in the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, with its closest courts located in Greenville and Raleigh,” said Eisner. “Instead it chose to file its case in the District of Delaware. From a practical standpoint, choosing an out of state venue makes things more challenging on the local community and local parties in interest who would have a difficult time attending hearings should they choose or finding out of state bankruptcy counsel to assist.”

Quorum’s MGH bankruptcy filing was followed by the shuttering of Quorum’s clinics in October 2023. Physicians, hospital administrators, nursing and support staff were left with unanswered questions and locked doors. Patients relying on medical records for future treatment were told they would have to wait to retrieve the information.

Quorum’s action brought N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper to the county to discuss future options. Cooper’s visit reinforced the need for improved county healthcare, but resident’s concerns continued to increase.

The closing prompted citizens to take action. The past month’s commission meetings are now held in front of overflow crowds voicing continued disdain for those responsible for MGH’s closing.

Bennett resigned weeks after MGH was shuttered when it was discovered his yearly salary was allegedly increased without proper authorization. Six citizens filed suit against Commissioners Ronnie Smith, Dempsey Bond and Emily Biggs for open meeting law violations. District Attorney Seth Edwards is currently investigating some commissioners’ possible wrongdoing.

Residents Paul Roberson, Heber Coltrain, Martha MacDonald, Bobby Stalls and Verna Perry regularly attend the meetings and voice their concerns. Roberson, Coltrain and MacDonald’s demands for the resignation of Smith, Bond and Biggs are paid little mind.

Last November, the commissioners unanimously approved County Attorney Ben Eisner as Interim Martin County Manager. According to Commissioner Skip Gurganus, Eisner’s presence has helped move the ball forward in researching hospital options.

Since Eisner’s engagement with state officials progress has been made analyzing options for healthcare. The county hired Ascendient Healthcare to assist in possibly reopening MGH.

Ascendient CEO Dawn Carter has been diligent in her diagnosis for the future of county healthcare. Once MGH was shuttered, Carter was hired to consult to have MGH designated a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH). Initially, REH legislation did not specifically include closed facilities. However, Carter believes she may have overcome the challenge.

“The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services indicated we are able to reopen the now closed facility as a rural emergency hospital. This is a positive step forward, but still requires that the building meet the facility requirements mandated by CMS, which are different requirements than those for a general hospital,” said Carter. “MGH could be the first hospital in the country to reopen as an REH. Therefore, CMS had to determine how the regulations would apply under those circumstances, which is why this process has taken longer than expected.”

Before opening, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) must determine whether the building meets those REH facility requirements.

Criterion Healthcare is currently addressing facility upgrade issues and is preparing plans to be submitted to the state for review.

One of the major challenges the county faces is the question of funding.

“Lots of capital is needed to successfully run any hospital. The walkthrough and its findings will help determine the costs of any needed renovations,” said Carter.

“Ben and the team have worked tirelessly to bring us to where we are. And our state and federal representatives have as well. I am cautiously optimistic but recognize that we still have a ways to go,” added Gurganus.

MGH updates are regularly posted on the county’s webpage.