Responding to concerns that proposed spending cuts will lead to hospital closures, the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution indicating its support for Blue Ridge Regional Hospital recently.
Members of the Spruce Pine Town Council also expressed concern about the local hospital’s future at their meeting last week, and discussed possibly passing their own resolution at a future meeting.
County Manager Allen Cook noted that the resolution will be sent to members of the General Assembly, before reading out the text.
“Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine is an essential health care provider … offering critical services, including emergency care, surgery and outpatient services,” Cook read. “As a rural county, Mitchell County faces unique challenges in accessing health care options for residents, making Blue Ridge Regional Hospital a vital resource for our community.”
Board Chair Jeff Harding encouraged citizens listening to lobby their representatives to support hospital funding.
“We need all 14,000-plus people in Mitchell County to start sending letters, making phone calls,” Harding said. “This could be devastating to our small community here.”