SEN. KOLKHORST ADDRESSES CLOSURE OF LA GRANGE HOSPITAL
(R-Brenham)
State Senator Lois Kolkhorst has issued a statement regarding Wednesday’s announcement of St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange to shut down effective October 12th.
The hospital stated the reason for the closure is due to its continued struggles in making monthly mortgage debt payments while also dealing with revenue shortfalls and growing expenses.
The full statement of Kolkhorst, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, can be read below:
"The difficult local decision to shut down St. Mark’s Hospital comes after several years of challenges. My office has worked closely with those seeking to support the hospital.
In fact, the St. Mark's situation inspired me to pass legislation to assist rural hospitals like the one in La Grange to become a new licensing category for emergency rooms. With that new REH (Rural Emergency Hospital) designation, more state and federal funds can now be accessed, including $50 million in state grants available this biennium. It was previously announced that St. Mark’s was going to be the first to receive $1.1 million of this funding, prior to this recent decision to cease operations.
While this is a difficult time for the community, I stand ready to assist the people of La Grange and Fayette County as they determine the next course of action to deliver local healthcare at this facility."