The Rural Health Association of Tennessee called on Gov. Bill Lee to acknowledge the statewide crisis affecting rural hospitals, News Channel 5 Nashville reports.
"We really are at a crisis state here in Tennessee. We really have to be aggressive in thinking through how do we transform healthcare in rural areas," Rebecca Jolley, executive director of the association, told the television station. "When those ambulances are tied up, then what? You'll have people that could've been saved not making it."
Ms. Jolley added that state leaders, including Mr. Lee, are not doing enough to help keep rural hospitals operational. Twenty-one counties in the state now lack access to an emergency room, the report states.
Her remarks were largely in response to the closure of Cumberland River Hospital in Celina on March 1 — the 10th hospital closure in Tennessee, News Channel 5 reports.
To access the full report, click here.