US’ Martin General Hospital shuts down, files for bankruptcy

Martin General Hospital has ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy.

According to a statement released Thursday, “Martin General Hospital is no longer accepting patients, including emergency patients, and the hospital has filed for bankruptcy.”

“Yes, the hospital is closed to the public. Quorum (Health Services) notified us they are closing Martin General and suspending operations,” Martin County Manager James Bennett told The Enterprise newspaper in Williamston. “We are very concerned and disappointed and are reviewing options for the future.”

Quorum Health had been operating the hospital under a lease with the county that was set to expire in 2028. The Enterprise reported that Martin General had suffered $13 million in losses last year.

According to Thursday’s statement, the hospital had tried reaching an agreement with Martin County to keep the hospital in operation.

“We provided Martin County (commissioners) with a proposal to revert the hospital back to Martin County, incorporated their requested clarifications and any requested changes and gave them an extension of time to consider our proposal at a called meeting on August 1,” hospital officials said. “The county chose not to respond to our proposal and the hospital is now forced to suspend operations today and to file for bankruptcy.”

According to The Enterprise, the hospital’s front doors were locked at 10 a.m. Thursday.

County commissioner Joe Ayers said his colleagues are working on a path forward for the hospital.

The closing is “devastating for citizens and the hospital employees. I’m disappointed in Quorum that they shut an important facility down on short notice,” Ayers said.

A health care study found that nearly 80% of county residents were seeking care from providers other than Martin General, the news release said. And the county’s population fell 10% between 2010 and 2020 to 22,000.

The closest emergency room will now be about 20 miles away in Washington, Martin General said on its website. Local clinics will stay open.

U.S. Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., expressed his disappointment in learning of the sudden closing.

“Deeply saddened to see Martin General Hospital closing its doors and suspending operations. This only underscores the critical need for accessible health care in eastern North Carolina,” Davis said.

“With today’s announcement, I’ve been engaging with local, state and health care officials to assist and find viable solutions. Access to quality health care is paramount and I am fully committed to fighting for the support and resources eastern North Carolinians deserve.” The Daily Advance