Jon Ossoff

04/17/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/17/2024 10:52

BREAKING: Sen. Ossoff Delivering Major Federal Investment in Randolph County Health Care

Sen. Ossoff has championed efforts to strengthen access to health care in Randolph County

CLICK HERE to watch and download video footage of Sen. Ossoff's virtual press conference

Cuthbert, Ga. - U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is delivering a major Federal investment in Randolph County health care.

Today, Sen. Ossoff announced he is delivering a historic $11.8 million in Federal funding to the Randolph County Hospital Authority, a major first step toward restoring health care access and services for Cuthbert and Randolph County families following the closure of Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center in 2020.

Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver $11.8 million for the project through this year's bipartisan government funding package, working alongside Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock and Congressman Sanford Bishop (GA-02).

"I know how alarming and how worrying it is for families in and around Randolph County not to have ready, close access to emergency care should a loved one or a child fall ill or be injured. It's vital that every family in Georgia have access to emergency health care services, and that's why I have made it one of my office's highest priorities to work to ensure that Cuthbert and Randolph County residents have access to the health care facilities they need," Sen. Ossoff said. "Today, I'm able to make a major announcement of a historic Federal investment in health care access for Randolph County and Cuthbert families - $11.8 million, which I added to the recent bipartisan budget measure, is headed to the Randolph County Hospital Authority in a major first step toward restoring the health care access that Cuthbert and Randolph County families deserve."

"This is a historic federal investment, but I want to emphasize but it's also a first step," Sen. Ossoff added."There is a long and uncertain road ahead to ensure that Cuthbert and Randolph County families have access to the care that they need, but this is the foundation for that effort."

"I want to commend and thank Steve Whatley and his team at the Randolph County Hospital Authority and the entire community, which has worked hand in hand with me and my staff on a daily and weekly basis over the last two years, to bring us to this point. Were it not for the tireless advocacy of Steve Whatley and other community leaders for this effort to restore health care access for Randolph County families, we would not have been able to take this historic first step and deliver this historic federal investment," Sen. Ossoff said.

"Without this federal money, we could never get to this point. Senator Ossoff's dedication to this project into rural health care and rural medicine is just unbelievable, how he has delivered on this. So, we will come forth with a model that's sustainable at some point, but to get us to this point, this federal funding is made possible, and we appreciate that very much," said Steve Whatley, Randolph County Hospital Commission Chairman. "We have a long way to go, but this funding will help the Hospital Authority advanced our go toward reopening the hospital."

Click here to watch and download video footage of Sen. Ossoff's virtual press conference.

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