The headlines this week are about changes at Delta Health System and how they might affect Clarksdale.
Change is always news and change is not always easy. The rumors ran rampant for more than two months about our hospital and were made public when Coahoma County Supervisors met with the leaders of the Greenville hospital on Tuesday.
This is not the first time the public has been concerned about the “health” of their hospital.
The bankruptcy of Curae in 2018 sent a shiver down the back of this community. Doctors, nurses, medical technicians and staff were even led to believe they might not get paid.
Healthcare is a major industry in Coahoma County and a factor in any community’s Quality of Life.
And Clarksdale is not the only hospital with concerns. Greenwood, Senatobia and most rural hospitals in the state are struggling. It has been estimated that almost half of the state’s 64 rural hospitals are at risk of closing or at least not profitable.
It would be easy to talk federal healthcare programs and the state turning down Medicaid expansion. We will just say rural healthcare in this country is changing and our leaders need to think carefully and our community needs to support our hospital.
Your Clarksdale Press Register believes we have leaders who are watching and working to keep our hospital viable. And the county - actually the taxpayer - owns that hospital.
We have a rainy-day fund of more than $25 million earmarked for healthcare in this community. Quite literally, we can build on that!
It is obvious past leaders had a vision for healthcare and made plans. A large part of our hospital was built in the 1950s and it has served us well. It is also obvious Clarksdale is ready for something new and improved.
But until then, what is the average person to do?
We urge those in need of healthcare to shop Clarksdale first. Sure, if you need a specialist in Memphis or Oxford, go and get well. But please consider local doctors and your local hospital first.
This newspaper will, and this community must, focus on a future that looks better.
Change always brings opportunity. Clarksdale needs to think about an innovative and improved system for healthcare. This is an opportunity to bring much needed change to the hospital in Clarksdale.
