WINTERS, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — Healthcare in Rannells County may soon be changing. North Runnels Hospital's board met Friday night to discuss whether its medical facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes and emergency medical services, should close or remain open. Residents are making a final bid to save medical facilities and demanding answers as to the cause of the health district's overall financial woes.
North Runnels County Hospital District CEO Nicholas Lewis said more money has gone out since the COVID-19 pandemic than has come in.
“It's really hard to do payroll and keep everything else going. My number one priority is to get payroll done. Nursing homes account for the bulk of the losses,” Lewis said. gave an explanation in front of more than 40 residents who attended the meeting.
At the meeting, it was decided to wait until May 15th for potential buyers to purchase the nursing home. However, we do not have enough funds to pay salaries at this time. North Runnels Hospital shared on Facebook that it will hold another meeting on Tuesday, April 23, to further discuss the action plan.
Resident Lisa Rowlett shared her experience. The nursing home has been dealing with financial issues for years, but it was only recently that they learned the entire district was in crisis.
“I don't think a lot of people realized until recently that the whole district was at risk. I don't know if we'll ever be able to get it all back, but we certainly need to give it all up.” No,” Rowlett added.
She worries that if the facility closes without medical care, residents may have to drive minutes or even hours to the nearest town.
“Instead of driving on the road for 10 minutes, we can put parents on the road for two hours of travel time,” Rowlett explained.
While the focus was on health care for the elderly, other residents also shared concerns about the impact on local sports.
“EMS is an important part of our community and if the need arises, they will be able to come here and do what they need to do to take care of our students,” said Winters, football assistant. Brian Greene, track and field coach, explained. .
Although the facility is in dire financial straits, residents share that the quality of care has made a difference in their lives. Resident Judy Black said her mother has been a resident at the nursing home since February 2024. She has previously been a resident of other nursing homes, but the care she received was first class and her best experience to date. However, due to financial difficulties, the family did not realize that things were so dire.
“I'm wondering if they do payroll on Fridays. It's supposed to affect you, but they don't show it to our families and the people they care for. She's here What I received was not just the emotional support in those places. I don't know if there would be another situation as well. I just don't know what it would be,” Black said. said.