<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0SUzge_11NcHizy00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0SUzge_11NcHizy00" width="1200" height="600" >PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - Rural healthcare is a hot-button topic in Mississippi.“If you can think of a challenge, we probably face it in rural healthcare,” said Wayne General Hospital Chief Executive Officer Andrew Porter.Everything from staffing to hospital costs recur as common issues, Porter said.Now, Wayne General is one of three hospitals in the state joining a Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services program in an effort to improve cost reimbursement and other challenges in rural healthcare.“When people talk about growth, I just think about meeting the needs of the community,” Porter said.Porter said that population health is a priority in small communities.“When you can understand what population health is, you start to understand your patients’ needs,” Porter said. “And in a rural community like that, our patients are our family, our friends, our colleagues, next-door neighbors.”According to the latest census, Wayne County has a population just under 20,000, which ranks 45th out of 82 Mississippi counties.In late April, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith announced that Wayne General would join Greenwood Leflore Hospital and Magee General Hospital as the three facilities chosen for the Rural Communities Healthcare Demonstration.“It’s a demonstration,” said Porter. “It’s a model. So, it’s sort of an experiment that CMS is doing—looking at reimbursement methodologies.“So, it’s kind of going back in time to where hospitals were reimbursed based on costs.”Wayne General’s current facility opened nearly 50 years ago, and Porter said some of the funds from the program could go to upgrading equipment.Other funds could help increase staffing.He said it is all about understanding the business model.“And the business model becomes simple,” Porter said. “You start meeting those needs, and the patients will come.”As of now, the program expects to be funded through 2028.Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.</div></body>

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PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - Rural healthcare is a hot-button topic in Mississippi. “If you can think of a challenge, we probably face it in rural healthcare,” said Wayne General Hospital Chief Executive Officer Andrew Porter. Everything from staffing to hospital costs recur as common issues, Porter said. Now,...

Wayne General Hospital chosen for RCDH program

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PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - Rural healthcare is a hot-button topic in Mississippi. “If you can think of a challenge, we probably face it in rural healthcare,

Wayne General Hospital chosen for RCDH program

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