Lewis County Health System is one step closer to being reimbursed millions of dollars from the county. The Health and Human Services Committee unanimously approved moving $2.5 million from this year’s fund balance and $1 million per year over the next two years. This money is the county’s repayment of funds borrowed from the hospital in 2018 to help build the Jefferson Community College Education Center in Lewis County.
Health System officials say the money would help reopen the hospital’s maternity ward. Jeff Hellinger, the Lewis County Health System CFO, stated, “These funds will be used for general operations but specifically for maternity; we continue to keep working to reopen that. We had a new provider that started this Monday so we are excited at the possibility of moving forward with reopening.”
The repayment still needs approval by the full board of legislators. If approved, the funds will greatly assist in the efforts to reopen the maternity ward and support the general operations of the health system.