ASHEBORO – Randolph County, in collaboration with Randolph Health, has submitted an application to UNC Health Care for consideration to be awarded a $20 million loan made available through the Rural Health Stabilization Program.
The application reinforces the need for local health care, details the implementation of the innovative health care stabilization plan and highlights the future of health care for Randolph County.
The innovative health care stabilization plan requires the collaboration of three committed, critical parties: A Financial Sponsor, a New Transition Organization and a Successor. Randolph County has been approached to serve as the Financial Sponsor and to obtain funding from the Rural Health Stabilization Program to implement the model over time.
The New Transition Organization will continue the operations of Randolph Health for three years during the transition to the new model. After transition to the new model, Randolph Health will conduct a solvent closure. The Successor will design, create, fund and build the needed programs, infrastructure and facilities to evolve health care in Randolph County into a sustainable, population health model of care. This Plan allows for ongoing, continued access to health care in Randolph County while a new model of health care is being created.
An essential component of the new model requires a high-quality health system to ultimately become the new provider of care in Randolph County.
Cone Health is in discussions with Randolph Health about becoming the Successor organization. The two organizations are working on a letter of intent that spells out an innovative approach to providing rural health care for generations to come. Cone Health’s ultimate role as successor is pending further planning and ultimate approval by its Board of Trustees. The model contemplated would likely involve a much smaller inpatient hospital facility complemented by an emphasis on outpatient services.
UNC Health Care is reviewing the application and will make a recommendation to the Local Government Commission (LGC). The LGC will ultimately award the funds. If Randolph County’s application is approved, then there will be a public hearing in which the county commissioners will decide whether to take the loan.
Significant progress continues to ensure that the citizens of Randolph County have access to high-quality health care today and in the future. Local access to health care is a critical part of what makes Randolph County a special place to live, work and raise a family.