Project Details:

This project involves the new construction of a 54,690 SF medical facility in rural Carthage, MS. The project is located in a severely distressed census tract bearing two primary designations of distress (poverty rate of 31.1% and non-metropolitan) and a secondary level of distress (Medically Underserved Area) as defined by the CDFI Fund. This facility will replace the current Carthage, MS facility and provide the residents of this community with additional advanced care options that were only available 60 to 70 miles away; thus, keeping healthcare dollars in this community and health care options to low-income persons unable to afford to travel for these services.

The facility is certified as a critical access hospital, meaning they are a rural hospital certified to receive cost-based reimbursement from Medicare. This certification coupled with the fact that rural residents tend to be older, have lower incomes, and are more likely to be uninsured (US Census Bureau (2010), Current Population Survey, 2008 and 2010 Annual Social and Economic Supplements) indicates that a significant percentage of the patients served will be low-income persons and/or low-income community residents. Based on admission and outpatient visits obtained from the American Hospital Association, it is estimated that more than 5,704 low-income persons and/or low-income community residents would be served as a direct result of this project.