News

Hospitals encourage donations in hour of need

May 26, 2020

HEART program allows Georgians to direct their state income tax to save local healthcare access

 

Even as they continue to heroically respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, community hospitals are facing critical financial distress that puts their futures in doubt. They need help to ensure our critical healthcare infrastructure survives to serve their region’s ongoing healthcare needs long after we’ve defeated COVID – and they can do it at no costs to themselves.

 

“Rural hospitals are major economic engines for their communities and they’re experiencing devastating decreases of revenue due to COVID-19. Without financial help, it will be tough for some hospitals to keep the doors open,” said Monty Veazey. “This pandemic has brought the needs of rural hospital into immediate focus, and we need members of the community to rally behind our hospitals.”

 

The HEART (Helping Enhance Access to Rural Treatment) hospital tax credit program benefits hospitals struggling to stay open by allowing taxpayers to direct their state income tax obligations to the rural hospital of their choice. The loss of rural hospitals decreases access to healthcare, delays treatment during emergencies and cripples economic development.

 

“Local communities depend on community hospitals, and healthcare providers have stepped up to meet higher demand for high-quality care. Ensuring patients have access to high-quality care is our mission and our passion, and we’ll do everything in our power to keep those services available – and save lives. I encourage everyone who is able to reach out to your local hospitals to see what needs they may have.”

 

As they’ve transitioned to respond to COVID, hospitals across the state have burned through their reserves as a result of new costs and postponed elective surgeries. As hospitals work to slow the spread of coronavirus, thousands of hospital beds remain empty.

 

“At this moment, communities need their hospitals more than ever,” Monty said, “and hospitals need their communities more than ever.”

 

Donations to the HEART program go toward the hospital of the donor’s choice. To donate to the Georgia HEART program, complete a short application at www.georgiaheart.org.