CORDELE – Crisp Regional Hospital will appeal the Department of Community Health’s decision to approve the Certificate of Need (CON) for the proposed Lee County Medical Center (LCMC). However, the Crisp Board of Trustees plans to work with leaders of LCMC to evaluate options that will reduce the disproportionate burden on Crisp Regional in serving the uninsured patients of Crisp, Wilcox, Dooly, Worth, and Turner counties. Should an agreement be reached the appeal may be withdrawn.

Crisp County is among Georgia’s poorest counties and its population is counted among the many South Georgia counties that have some of the poorest health outcomes in the United States. A reduction in funds to support our hospital and increased labor costs will severely impair CRH’s long term ability to serve the needs of our population and do not seem consistent with prudent health planning. In contrast, Lee County stands out among South Georgia’s counties as being the 8^th wealthiest county in Georgia, its residents have higher incomes, and have among the best health outcomes. It is understandable that an investor owned company from Tennessee would find Lee County, GA, an attractive location, but unfortunate that the proposed LCMC business plan to primarily serve commercially insured patients will negatively impact so many of the less fortunate surrounding communities.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation created county-specific health rankings based on health factors to highlight the areas of the state with the biggest health concerns, as shown in Figure 1. These rankings are based on weighted scores for health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and the physical environment. Those counties indicated as dark blue are identified as the lowest ranking counties for health factors, whereas the lighter shades indicate better performance. As shown in the map below, the most concerning region is located in South and Middle Georgia.

Additionally, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation created county-specific health rankings based on health outcomes to highlight the areas of the state with the worst health outcomes, as shown in Figure 2. These rankings are based on the average life span of individuals within the county and the quality of life of those individuals. Those counties indicated as dark green are identified as the lowest ranking counties for health outcomes, whereas the lighter shades indicate better performance. As shown in the map below, the most concerning region is again located in South and Middle Georgia.