Impact on Access to Healthcare

Residents of Trinity will now face a significant distance to receive medical care, with the nearest hospitals located approximately 30 miles away in neighboring counties. The closure is particularly alarming given that Trinity County has already seen the detrimental effects of losing local healthcare services; notably, the East Texas Medical Center had shut down back in 2017.

According to the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, the phenomenon of rural hospital closures is widespread in the United States, with a total of 109 rural hospitals shuttering their doors since 2005. Texas has been at the forefront of this crisis, leading the nation in rural hospital closures during the past decade.

Challenges and Financial Strain

John Henderson, CEO of the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals, noted the inherent difficulties in operating rural hospitals. “A rural hospital is a really, really hard thing to do,” he remarked, emphasizing the challenges that persist beyond initial attempts to restore healthcare access in these communities.

During its operational year, Mid Coast Medical Center struggled to partner with insurance providers due to lengthy licensing processes under Medicare regulations. Hospital board chair Marjory Pulvino explained that it wasn’t until January 2025 that the facility received its first reimbursements. Until then, the hospital heavily depended on funding from the taxpayer-supported Trinity Memorial Hospital District.

Amid these circumstances, Brett Kirkham, CEO of Mid Coast, indicated that the hospital could no longer remain viable. “Despite our team’s tireless work to restore services in Trinity, we are simply unable to continue operations under the current circumstances,” Kirkham stated.

Community Response and Future Prospects

The hospital district, which owns the building and its equipment, is actively negotiating with potential healthcare systems to resume services. Nonetheless, Pulvino cautioned that even with a favorable agreement, it might take months before healthcare services return to Trinity.

This closure bears significant implications for the local population, which has a poverty rate exceeding 50%, with about 18% of residents under age 65 lacking health insurance. The combined effects of socioeconomic status and limited access to healthcare create a challenging environment for individuals in need of medical attention.

Resident Lauren Threlkeld expressed her concern over the lack of immediate medical capacity, recalling a past incident where her daughter required urgent care. “Not having a hospital will put us in the same situation. That hospital could mean life or death for someone – including myself – one day,” she said emphatically.

Legislative Actions and Future Support

In light of the ongoing crisis, Texas lawmakers are considering legislation aimed at bolstering support for rural hospitals facing closure. House Bill 18, introduced by Rep. Gary VanDeaver, seeks to establish state entities designed to provide financial stability to rural healthcare settings. The proposed bill, which carries a projected cost of $48.8 million over two years, aims to set up grant programs, including a Financial Stabilization Grant Program worth $100 million.

VanDeaver emphasized the necessity of this initiative: “A lot of the state dollars going as a result of this bill will not go directly to hospitals, but to put systems in place to avoid closing as so many have,” he remarked.

In the meantime, Mid Coast’s leadership has urged the Trinity community to advocate for state and federal support. “This is a call to action—for the Trinity community, our leaders, and our nation—to recognize the unique challenges rural hospitals face and to fight for solutions that keep care close to home,” Kirkham stated.