Greenville, N.C.-based ECU Health has received state budget funding to improve care access in the eastern part of North Carolina.
The budget includes $25 million to re-establish essential healthcare services in Martin County, N.C., and $15 million to expand bed capacity at Washington, N.C.-based ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, according to a July 7 news release shared with Becker’s.
The state support, combined with $35 million from NC Care funds, will help ECU Health and Martin County move forward with formal agreement plans.
ECU Health signed a nonbinding letter of intent in July 2025 with Martin County to partner and restore essential healthcare services in the area. In May 2025, ECU Health also shared plans to reopen Williamston, N.C.-based Martin General Hospital as the state’s first rural emergency hospital.
Martin County leaders also signed a nonbinding agreement with ECU Health in May 2025 after a January vote to lease or sell Martin General. ECU Health revealed in a 338-page proposal plans for the REH to offer emergency and outpatient services, with inpatient care directed to ECU Health Beaufort Hospital.
While the funding is an important step, the release said additional investment is needed to meet the $150 million price tag for ECU Health Beaufort to fully implement a regional care system model.
“This budget represents meaningful progress toward a sustainable model of care for Martin County, Beaufort County and eastern North Carolina,” Michael Waldrum, MD, CEO of ECU Health, said in the release. “Rural Americans are facing unprecedented challenges that continue to threaten the viability of health care in their communities. We are grateful for the support of our state elected leaders for infrastructure funding as we pursue rural health initiatives designed to improve the health and well-being of the most vulnerable communities in North Carolina.”
ECU Health and Martin County leaders are continuing to work toward a formal agreement to define commitments, responsibilities and structure needed to return essential healthcare services in the region. Unresolved contingencies from a letter of intent mean the process will take time, but both parties remain committed to moving forward.
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