Rural Hospital Stabilization Program

During the 2014 General Assembly, (then) Governor Nathan Deal acknowledged growing concerns regarding the increasing number of rural hospital closures in Georgia. The Rural Hospital Stabilization Committee was appointed to evaluate hospital closures as well as the overall global issue of access to health care in rural areas. 

The final recommendations of the Committee led to the creation of the Rural Hospital Stabilization (RHS) Grant Program. Click here to view the Rural Hospital Stabilization Committee Final Report to the Governor.

The Rural Hospital Stabilization Grant Program, established in State Fiscal Year 2016, provides funding to rural hospitals to improve financial and operational stability. Hospitals participating in the Program are required to evaluate community and hospital needs, assess current service lines, and submit funding proposals designed to strengthen the hospital’s financial base.

To support the “Right Care, at the Right Time, and in the Right Setting” philosophy of the Program, four overarching goals were established:

• Increase market share
• Increase access to primary care
• Reduce potentially preventable readmissions
• Reduce inappropriate or over-utilization of the Emergency Department

Projects approved for participating hospitals must meet one or more of the Program goals, and may include workforce recruitment and retention initiatives as well as initiatives to reduce or eliminate existing debt.

View all reports to date.

For archived Rural Hospital Stabilization Program information please click here.