FOREST, Miss. — Small town hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices in Mississippi are about to have almost $206 million spread out to them and their partners to improve rural healthcare through the Rural Health Transformation Program.

Lackey Memorial Hospital in Scott County plans to apply immediately for funding to modernize technology in medical record keeping and surgical operations. The hospital serves as a critical access point for residents who would otherwise face 45-minute drives to Brandon Crossgates or Meridian for care.

“We have had people that have seen our gynecologist here that, if they had seen a gynecologist three to four years ago, they wouldn’t be dying of cancer,” said Sydney Sawyer, Lackey Memorial Hospital CEO. “That’s how bad access to care is in Mississippi.”

The hospital’s emergency room sees 800 to 850 patients per month. Despite 75 years of service, the facility faces ongoing financial challenges.

Program initiatives

The Rural Health Transformation Program includes five initiatives. The Coordinated Regional Integrated Systems Initiative connects the pieces of rural healthcare into one coordinated system.

The Workforce Expansion Initiative grows, supports and sustains the rural healthcare workforce.

The Health Technology Advancement and Modernization Initiative modernizes the technology that supports rural healthcare.

The Telehealth Adoption and Provider Support Initiative expands access to care by bringing healthcare directly to patients.

The Building Rural Infrastructure for Delivery, Growth and Efficiency Initiative strengthens the physical, operational and programmatic infrastructure that rural healthcare depends on.

Planned improvements

Sawyer said the hospital will seek funding to replace its dated electronic medical record system and acquire a surgical robot for women’s healthcare services. The hospital also plans to upgrade software to keep up with Medicare Advantage and insurance companies processing patient plans online.

“Technology is getting more sophisticated that they’re using that has really decreased our reimbursement,” Sawyer said. “We are now working on using AI to make sure we’re getting paid. To do that manually is almost impossible.”

Concerns about fund distribution

The state received $205,990,180.16 for the first year of the program. Richard Roberson of the Mississippi Hospital Association expressed concern about how the funds will be allocated.

“It’s pretty clear that the money will not go to the bottom line of the hospitals,” Roberson said. “Technology is a piece of it. Healthcare workforce, telemedicine in particular, building out regional networks.”

Mississippi leaders must designate where all funds will go by Oct. 30 and ensure proper spending by September 2027.

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