From Staff Reports

The Post-Searchlight

Last Thursday, Sen. Dean Burke (R – Bainbridge) shared details on the Rural Healthcare 180 initiative with attendees of Georgia Chamber Day at the Capitol.

“It was a privilege to speak to Georgia Chamber members on this important initiative,” said Sen. Burke. “The Rural Healthcare 180 Taskforce’s goal is to help address the rural hospital’s fiscal stresses that are leading to closure or severe limitation in services provided. The health outcome of rural citizens and the viability of many of our rural communities dependents on the success of this initiative.”

In 2016, the Georgia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 258 to provide $180 million in tax credits over three years for individuals and corporations that donate to the most vulnerable rural hospitals in Georgia. The Rural Healthcare Tax Credit, which begins in January 2017, allows individuals and corporations to donate to hospitals deemed Georgia’s most vulnerable by the Department of Community Health. Total donations allowed under the tax credit in 2017 are $50 million. In 2018, that jumps to $60 million in tax credits. In 2019, $70 million in tax credits will be available. Every person or company that donates can see up to 70 percent of that money returned as a tax credit.

Rural Healthcare 180 is a public/private partnership ensuring the tax credit program successfully alters the course of about 50 failing rural hospitals. The task force is led by Honorary Co-chairs Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Regions Bank executive Bill Linginfelter. Sen. Dean Burke is the working chair.

For information about the program, please visit www.RuralHealthcare180.org.