Video: Rural Hospitals In West Alabama Fight To Stay Afloat

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FAYETTE, COUNTY, Ala. (WCBI) — Rural hospitals all across the country, including Mississippi and Alabama, are closing their doors due to financial impacts.

Tuesday night, Fayette leaders tried to prevent that from happening.

With an average of 25 patients a day and a full emergency room, this small hospital is fighting to stay alive.

Rural hospitals like Fayette Medical Center are experiencing low patient volume due to the recent health care industry; which means loss of employees and loss of money.

“Reimbursement getting cut more and more every year. Most communities like ours we’re seeing more free care. People not insured and the amount of that continues to rise,” says Barry Cochran.

Fayette Mayor, Ray Nelson and the city council met with hospital staff to find the issue behind the low numbers.

Nelson is determined to find a way to keep the doors opened.

“Largest employer in Fayette County. Over 300 plus employees and we’re going to do our very best to put a plan together as a community,” says Mayor Ray Nelson.

City leaders are optimistic about the future, but hospital administrator Barry Cochran believes the hospital needs a financial shot in the arm.

“Take a look at the future and know that there is going to have to be some local funding made available to the hospital for it to survive down the road,” says Cochran.

A closure could mean a lot to the region’s healthcare.

Fayette Medical Center serves that county but also sees patients from surrounding counties, including Lamar.

“I think it’s important to have health care close to home otherwise we have to travel 40 or 50 miles to Tuscaloosa or 90 miles to Birmingham,” says Belinda Aly.

Cochran says administrators are working to keep the hospital open.

“That hospital is not going to close tomorrow or the next day and it gives them a little more security that their hospital is going to be okay,” says Cochran.

“We are not going to let our hospital close their doors,” says Mayor Nelson.

City officials will meet later on to discuss what actions to take to keep the medical facility open.