WJTV-TV Jackson
Three Mississippi hospitals approved for rural program
By Sethanie Smith
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) said three Mississippi hospitals have been approved to participate in the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.
The hospitals are Greenwood Leflore Hospital (GLH), Magee General Hospital and Wayne General Hospital.
“We’ve worked very hard for years to give these hospitals greater federal support to ensure that they stay open to serve rural Mississippians. It hasn’t been easy, but being part of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program will allow them to receive more beneficial reimbursements, which is important to keeping their doors open,” said Hyde-Smith.
In early March, Hyde-Smith and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) sent a letter to CMS strongly supporting Greenwood Leflore’s RCHD application, in which they argued why Greenwood Leflore deserved a spot within the program. Hyde-Smith also sent a letter in March in support of Magee General Hospital’s application and has supported Wayne General Hospital’s inclusion in the program as well.
All three hospitals’ enrollment in the RCHD program requires CMS receiving a signed Participation Agreement within 30 days.