MARTIN COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – Congressman Don Davis is set to visit an Eastern Carolina county to speak to residents about their concerns over healthcare access after a major hospital closed last year.

Davis is visiting Martin County today to hold a listening healthcare listening session.

The goal is to better understand the impact of Martin General Hospital’s closure on healthcare access in the county.

Martin General Hospital closed in August 2023 after filing for bankruptcy. The hospital says it has faced financial challenges due to a declining population and more people in the county going to other hospitals. It said in 2022, Martin General lost $13 million.

However, efforts to reopen the hospital have not faltered. Ascendient, a consulting firm hired for a potential reopening, says that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has indicated that the county is able to reopen the closed facility as a rural emergency hospital.

A walk-through to see if the building meets REH requirements between the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the county’s advisor is scheduled today to begin that process.

Ascendient says questions remain about the the funding options for the hospital but that the walkthrough will help determine the costs of any renovations.

Once these answers are in hand, Ascendient says the process can move forward which includes issuing a “request for proposal” or RFP to interested parties that want to provide healthcare in the county.

Officials say the conversation at the listening session with Davis will include local leaders, federal representatives, and community members as they seek to address concerns, answer questions, and get feedback.

The listening session is happening at Martin Community College in room 14 of building 1 at 6:30 p.m. this evening.