Legislation Proposed To Help Establish Teaching Hospitals In Rural NC Counties

North Carolina lawmakers have introduced legislation that aims to establish more teaching hospitals in rural areas. 

The legislation directs the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to make recommendations establishing incentives to expand medical education in the state's rural counties.

Lawmakers would also like DHHS to identify medical centers that are ideal candidates to become teaching hospitals.

According to The Winston-Salem Journal, the incentives would include loosening Medicare restrictions on which hospitals can provide medical teaching. The bill would also seek enticements for medical residents and students to remain in those rural areas after they graduate.

The legislation is being submitted at a time when rural hospitals are struggling financially with reduced Medicare reimbursements.

North Carolina currently has four main teaching hospitals, all located in urban centers.