McDuffie Regional Medical Center CEO Doug Keir and McDuffie County Commission Chairman Charlie Newton spent five minutes talking to Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue during his visit Saturday.
They addressed proposed legislation that calls for an additional Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. The additional one cent would fund capital expenditures at the hospital allowing administrators to internally shift some funding to help pay for the growing expense of indigent care.
Gov. Perdue said he would keep an open mind, but that he would be "real careful" about the legislation. Mr. Keir related that the hospital is facing operating losses last year at $800,000 and looking at another such year.
He said the local hospital employs almost 200 people and is a viable economic force "committed to serving the needs of the community."
On July 26, Mr. Keir sent a letter to Chairman Newton and the rest of the commissioners requesting that the county provide $500,000 "to assist in the financial burden of indigent care."
He stated that it would not completely cover the cost, but it would be a significant help.
