Congressman Davis Releases Letter to President Trump Advocating for the Reopening of Martin General Hospital

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump requesting federal support to help reopen Martin General Hospital in Martin County and support construction of a new hospital bed tower in Beaufort County. Martin General, the county's only hospital and Rural Emergency Hospital, closed in 2023 after years of severe financial distress, leaving families across eastern North Carolina without access to nearby emergency care and essential health services.

In the letter, Congressman Davis highlighted the devastating impact the closure has had on the region. "More than 8,400 residents, or about 39 percent of the county's population, rely on Medicaid. The hospital had to abruptly stop accepting all patients, including emergency cases, due to severe financial challenges. Its operator filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy after years of mounting losses, including roughly $30 million since 2016. The closure eliminated the only hospital in Martin County, forcing residents to travel 20 to 30 minutes or more for emergency care. The downstream effects amount to 10,400 emergency visits, 180 jobs, and $33.1 million in economic impact losses." said Congressman Davis.

"When emergencies happen, minutes matter, and long travel times can mean the difference between life and death. Families are being forced to leave their communities to access basic care, putting an added burden on seniors, working parents, and those without reliable transportation. Given this dire scenario in eastern North Carolina, reopening Martin General Hospital and restoring inpatient care to the region through funding for Beaufort Hospital, in some form, is vital," Congressman Davis continued.

In addition to the letter, Congressman Don Davis continues fighting to restore health care access in Martin County by introducing H.R. 4277, Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act, legislation designed to help reopen Martin General Hospital and strengthen rural hospitals across eastern North Carolina. The bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for Rural Emergency Hospitals to match outpatient hospital rates, helping providers serving high Medicaid populations remain financially stable and continue delivering care close to home. The National Rural Health Association and America's Essential Hospitals support the legislation.

(Congressman Don Davis announces the Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act at Martin General Hospital)

The full text of the lletter can be found below:

Dear President Trump:

As a longtime champion for rural healthcare, I am advocating for $175 million to reopen Martin General Hospital in Martin County, North Carolina, and restore regionwide inpatient care by funding a new bed tower in Beaufort County, North Carolina. The funds would be broken down into a $25 million allocation for Martin General Hospital, which would, combined with $35 million from the state, be sufficient to reopen the facility, and $150 million for the new bed tower in Beaufort County.

Located in a Tier I county, which the North Carolina Department of Commerce designates as experiencing the highest economic distress, Martin General Hospital could become the first facility nationwide to reopen as a Rural Emergency Hospital after being fully closed. Since its closure in 2023, patients, families, and eastern North Carolina residents have lost access to essential healthcare services that Martin General Hospital provided, and they have been paying a price in the form of long wait times, reduced access to care, and higher mortality rates.

More than 8,400 residents, or about 39 percent of the county's population, rely on Medicaid. The hospital had to abruptly stop accepting all patients, including emergency cases, due to severe financial challenges. Its operator filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy after years of mounting losses, including roughly $30 million since 2016. The closure eliminated the only hospital in Martin County, forcing residents to travel 20 to 30 minutes or more for emergency care. The downstream effects amount to 10,400 emergency visits, 180 jobs, and $33.1 million in economic impact losses.

Mr. President, by advocating for the necessary $175 million, we can reopen Martin General Hospital as a Rural Emergency Hospital and, in doing so, create a lasting rural healthcare legacy. Despite the Rural Health Transformation Program, which provides $213 million for North Carolina, neither the state nor the county can use those funds to reopen Martin General Hospital. For context, East Carolina Health filed a letter of intent in July 2025 to assume control of the facility, but the next steps are contingent on future funding.

Beyond advocating for $175 million for residents of Martin County and eastern North Carolina, I also wish to make your Administration aware of H.R. 4277, the Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act, to support the Rural Emergency Hospital model, first established in law during your first term. Direct, unrestricted funding for Martin General Hospital and other truggling facilities is the most immediate way to address the systemic strain on our regional healthcare system.

When emergencies happen, minutes matter, and long travel times can mean the difference between life and death. Families are being forced to leave their communities to access basic care, putting an added burden on seniors, working parents, and those without reliable transportation. Given this dire scenario in eastern North Carolina, reopening Martin General Hospital and restoring inpatient care to the region through funding for Beaufort Hospital, in some form, is vital. We can do just that. I look forward to an ongoing dialogue with you and your team.

Sincerely,

Donald G. Davis

Member of Congress