Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama (RMCCA) has announced plans to convert its Greenville facility into a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH), a major restructuring that will end inpatient services and eliminate roughly 90 jobs across multiple departments.
The hospital shared the news in a press release on its Facebook page.
Hospital leaders say the change, unanimously approved by the RMCCA Board, reflects growing financial pressure on rural hospitals in Alabama and across the country.
“This strategic decision…represents the hospital’s best opportunity to achieve financial stability and continue serving the healthcare needs of the Greenville community,” the hospital said in its announcement.
RMCCA CEO Patrick Trammell said the move to REH status comes amid unprecedented financial challenges for rural hospitals.
“As rural hospitals across the country face unprecedented financial challenges, RMCCA is taking this proactive step to preserve a needed presence in our community, and maintaining essential healthcare services for our region is paramount,” Trammell said.
Under federal law, Rural Emergency Hospitals are designed for communities that can no longer sustain full-service operations but still need access to 24/7 emergency care, outpatient services, and transportation to larger regional facilities. Hospitals converting to REH status must end inpatient services, one of the highest-cost components of rural hospital operations.
Trammell acknowledged the weight of the decision. “The decision to pursue Rural Emergency Hospital status and end inpatient services was not made lightly, but it is necessary and reflects our commitment to adapt and sustain essential services for the people who depend on us,” he said.
RMCCA submitted its application to the State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) on Nov. 13. The hospital has already begun restructuring steps required under REH federal guidelines.
The most significant impact will be staffing reductions, with approximately 90 employees expected to be laid off as inpatient units and related services wind down. RMCCA said the reorganization is necessary to align operations with the Rural Emergency Hospital model and ensure the institution’s long-term sustainability.
The change in Greenville comes as Alabama prepares to overhaul rural healthcare through the new Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) — a major federal initiative created under the One Big Beautiful Bill earlier this year.
Earlier this month, the state submitted its official transformation plan to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, positioning Alabama for a share of a $50 billion federal fund dedicated to redesigning rural care delivery.
Governor Kay Ivey called the moment “critically important” for improving care in rural communities.
“Making meaningful improvements in how we deliver health care in rural Alabama is critically important to me,” Ivey said. “Thanks to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, states have an opportunity to make transformational change that will benefit citizens and communities for generations.”
The statewide plan outlines 11 initiatives designed to help rural hospitals survive and modernize — including regional telehealth networks, shared IT systems, expanded EMS capabilities, mobile community wellness services, digital maternal care links, and new rural workforce pipelines.
According to the plan, 1.6 million Alabamians live in rural counties, and the state’s rural hospitals face some of the highest closure risks in the nation.
If approved, RMCCA will operate as a Rural Emergency Hospital with a focus on emergency care, outpatient services, and coordination with larger medical centers across the region. The hospital has not yet announced a projected date for completing the transition.
While the change marks the end of inpatient care in Greenville, hospital officials say the restructuring is aimed at ensuring that essential services remain available in Butler County for years to come.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
