Senate Measure Could Help Yadkin In Hospital Deal

The state Senate has passed an amendment to a bill that changes how community hospitals can negotiate with providers, and Yadkin County patients could benefit from the change.

The Yadkin Valley Community Hospital has been closed since May, but the new amendment could help re-open its doors more quickly.

Under current rules, if a hospital is negotiating a sale or lease and the deal falls through, then the hospital must begin the paperwork all over again.

But if the amendment passes, they could continue under the current request for proposals without having to go back to square one of the hospital regulatory process.

The change must still be approved by the state House.

The county has been looking for a provider for the last four months after the previous operator abruptly shut down the facility.

In a statement released last week, Commission Chairman Kevin Austin said the board is expecting in the next few weeks to receive reports from consultants who have been looking at the financial and physical needs of the hospital facility.