The Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital is struggling to address its financial obligations and meet other challenges, prompting hospital, county, and city officials to explore ways to keep the facility from closing
The hospital recently closed a $6.78 million sale of its remaining properties in Gallup to McKinley County, according to a KOB report. The county helped the hospital by forgiving nearly $2 million in back rent. Part of the money from generated from the property sales went to the City of Gallup to satisfy liens on the three properties for unpaid utility bills totaling more than $200,000.
A plan of action on how to move forward in a manner that maintains quality patient care is being discussed. “We’re going to be a unified front,” a city representative said during a public meeting Tuesday evening, per KOB. “Nobody here wants to see us lose our community hospital. I think we’ve come up with some great ideas that I think we just need to follow through with this now.”
The Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital has endured a tumultuous existence recently that included a labor and delivery unit closure, investigations, lawsuits, and severe financial trouble. A KOB 4 report said patients came forward with stories about negative experiences during visits to RMCH.
The hospital is looking to make a fresh start. It has about $2.3 million remaining, according to RMCH board chairman Bill Lee, after paying off bills with the city and a loan from Texas. He said the board plans to fill three open seats on the hospital board and “chip away” at the rest of its debts. Lee told KOB he hopes the hospital will reach financial stability before the end of the year.
“I think we’re on a far better path than we have been over the past, you know, six or seven months, and so it’s really good to have this kind of cooperation,” he said. “Everybody has finally got their oars in the water, and we’re all rowing together to do what’s best for our community to keep our hospital open.”