Congressman Don Davis Presents Washington Regional Medical Center with $1 Million for Medical Equipment, Technology, and Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) celebrated $1 million in Community Project Funding for medical equipment, technology, and infrastructure at Washington Regional Medical Center in Plymouth, North Carolina. The funding was secured through Congressman Davis' Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding Requests and passed as part of H.R. 5371, Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026.Washington Regional Medical Center, a Critical Access Hospital, plays a vital role in sustaining the health, safety, and economic stability of Washington County, a Tier 1 and federally designated Medically Underserved Area.

"We delivered a $1 million investment to Washington Regional Medical Center for essential medical equipment, technology, and infrastructure, ensuring patients receive the critical care they deserve. Our rural communities deserve access to top-quality care close to home," said Congressman Don Davis. "Healthcare is not a luxury; it is a lifeline for many eastern North Carolina families. Our rural hospitals are facing the risk of closure, and we are taking action to protect them."

"This million-dollar investment is a lifeline for more than 45,000 people spread across 300 square miles of rural eastern North Carolina. When your nearest alternative for care is 45 minutes or more away, having the right equipment isn't a luxury - it's the difference between life and death. This funding will allow us to upgrade critical diagnostic and treatment capabilities that our patients depend on every single day, and frankly, it helps us attract and keep the talented physicians and nurses who want to know they'll have the tools to practice good medicine. People don't always think about it this way, but a hospital like ours is the backbone of this entire community. If we can't provide quality care, families leave, businesses struggle to recruit, and the whole region suffers. Congressman Davis gets that. He understands what rural hospitals are up against, and he fought for this funding when it mattered most. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and his refusal to let rural North Carolina get left behind," said Frank Avignone, CEO of Washington Regional Medical Center.

Congressman Davis also led a roundtable discussion with hospital providers and staff at Washington Regional Medical Center to discuss the challenges facing rural hospitals and identify solutions to strengthen access to healthcare. Participants shared firsthand perspectives on reimbursement pressures, access to specialty services, and the unique barriers facing patients in rural communities. The conversation underscored the importance of sustained federal investment and local collaboration to ensure families across the region can continue to receive high-quality care close to home.