New Hospital Set to Transform Health Care in Western North Carolina
Governor Josh Stein recently participated in the groundbreaking event for AdventHealth Weaverville’s forthcoming hospital, a development poised to significantly impact the local economy and healthcare accessibility. The new facility promises to generate 1,300 jobs and enhance healthcare affordability for residents of Madison and Yancey Counties.
Governor Stein emphasized the importance of accessible healthcare across the state, stating, “Wherever people get sick in North Carolina, they deserve to be able to get to a good, nearby hospital.” He further noted that the Weaverville hospital represents a strategic investment in the region’s health and economic vitality, with benefits including reduced response times for emergency services and expanded care options for families.
This announcement coincides with the third anniversary of North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion, a policy that has extended affordable healthcare to over 720,000 residents, including 250,000 in rural areas. Governor Stein’s Critical Needs Budget advocates for full funding of Medicaid by the General Assembly, aiming to safeguard healthcare access for dependent families and communities.
Last December, a $213 million grant was secured by Governor Stein and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services through the Rural Health Transformation Program. This funding aims to enhance healthcare access for over 3.5 million rural residents and will support more than 400 healthcare facilities, as well as invest in workforce development through rural residency programs and career incentives.
Governor Stein’s commitment to affordable healthcare in western North Carolina is longstanding. As Attorney General, he promoted competition among healthcare providers to decrease costs and improve service quality. Recently, he initiated the Rural Listening Session series, traveling with cabinet members to engage with community leaders on priorities such as making healthcare more affordable and accessible.
Learn more about upcoming Rural Listening Sessions.
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