North Carolina County Sees Limited Reach of Federal Rural Health Fund

Martin County, North Carolina, has not received direct assistance from the $50 billion rural health fund created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. County Manager Drew Batts said the money will not reopen Martin General Hospital, which closed in August 2023.

The hospital's closure left the county without inpatient services. Ambulances lack paramedics, and residents must travel at least 20 miles to the nearest emergency rooms, which are often overcrowded.

Pierce said her brother, Stanley Sears, died of a heart attack in 2024 after emergency crews from a neighboring town worked on him for 30 minutes. Pierce said the absence of higher-level care in the county left open the question of whether he could have survived. 9 million maintaining the closed facility since 2023. 5 million to add two advanced paramedic units.

Carolina is distributing its $213 million share of the federal fund among existing health organizations. Federal rules restrict how much of the money can be used for construction or renovations. ECU Health signed a letter of intent last year to reopen Martin General as a rural emergency hospital.

The plan requires the state legislature to approve $210 million, including $150 million for a new inpatient tower at another facility. Brian Floyd, chief operating officer at ECU Health, said the surrounding region faces a healthcare crisis. He said the loss of the hospital has already resulted in deaths that might have been prevented.