American Rescue Plan Act Helps Fulton County Hospital Enter into a Management Agreement with Baxter Health

Fulton County Judge Kenneth Crow announced Friday, August 4, 2023, that Fulton County Hospital has signed a management agreement with Baxter Health thanks in part to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding under the discretion of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “The governor has made incentives for Baxter to partner with us and to provide the management resources and expertise to stabilize our hospital and grow the services for our citizens,” Judge Crow said.

This decision comes after the Fulton County Hospital Board voted unanimously to sign a letter of intent to enter into a management agreement with Baxter Health. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration recently hired consultants Alvarez & Marsal Public Sector Services LLC to help legislators decide how to prioritize hospitals’ requests for the ARPA funding. The data from their analysis showed that inflation and staffing challenges from COVID-19 have left Fulton County Hospital in a dire financial position with limited cash, increasing debt, and at risk for closure. 

“Baxter Health has presented a preliminary plan for sustainability and growth to the current Fulton County Hospital Board of Directors. The management agreement will allow Baxter Health to immediately begin management of operations, financial management, and day-to-day operations. This will also allow Baxter Health the remainder of the year to complete a due diligence analysis into the specifics of a long-term agreement,” said Anthony Reed, newly appointed Interim Administrator of Fulton County Hospital.

“Baxter Health has been a strong supporter of Fulton County Hospital for many years. We are excited to partner for sustainability and to begin exploring what new services we can offer to the wonderful people of Fulton County,” said Ron Peterson, President/CEO of Baxter Health.