FCHC receives Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stabiliation Grant

Falls Community Hospital and Clinic is proud to announce that the hospital is the recipient of the newly released Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stabilization Grant awarded by Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

The purpose of the strategies, outlined below, were identified to further the goal of ensuring access to hospital services and reducing rural hospital closures:

1. Ensure Medicaid reimbursements are adequate and appropriate.

2. Increase access to established revenue opportunities to maximize reimbursement for hospitals.

3. Identify challenges hospitals experience in providing services to persons covered by Medicare and other payers.

For each eligible hospital, HHSC will provide a two-year Grant in the amount of $750,000 distributed quarterly in four flat fee amounts of $187,500 for the first Grant year and $375,000 distributed quarterly in four flat fee amounts of $93,750 for the second Grant year.

The board of Directors of Falls Community Hospital would like to thank Governor Abbott and the State of Texas legislature for approving the funding for Rural Emergency Hospitals in Texas.

Falls Community Hospital and Clinic became a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) in February of 2023 with the goal of providing continued healthcare services to people living in Falls and Robertson counties. Falls Community Hospital and Clinic is comprised of the hospital and Rural Health Clinic located in Marlin as well as Rural Health Clinics located in Bremond and Rosebud.

Once final approval is received Falls Community Hospital and, as directed by guidance from Texas HHSC will utilize funds to:

1. Debt reduction

2. Replace outdated CT Scanner

3. Replace flooring in the Emergency Department

4. Upgrade lab equipment

5. Maintain adequate staffing for services offered

6. Maintain and expand outpatient services

7. REH state survey preparedness

Governor Greg Abbott announced a $4.5 million grant opportunity awarded by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for four eligible Texas hospitals that are deemed critical to serving the state’s rural population this week. The Texas Rural Emergency Hospitals Financial Stabilization Grant will provide qualifying hospitals up to $1.1 million each through a two-year grant to improve healthcare access in rural communities.

“The State of Texas continues working to ensure Texans in all corners of our state have greater access to quality healthcare services,” said Governor Abbott. “I thank the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for helping to provide this grant opportunity to support rural emergency hospitals in caring for Texans in their community. Expanding access to rural healthcare remains a priority as we work together to build a healthier, stronger Texas of tomorrow.”

The hospitals have until Oct. 13, 2023, to apply for the grant, which can be used to supplement operational expenses, serve debt payments, make facility repairs, or purchase or rent equipment. Up to $1.1 million will be provided to each hospital through a two-year grant—$750,000 for the first year and $375,000 for the second year.

Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature appropriated $25 million per year for rural hospitals beginning September 1, 2023. HHSC provides grant funding and administers programs for rural hospitals in alignment with the Rural Hospital Services Strategic Plan with a goal of ensuring rural Texans have access to hospital services.