Town Hall Next Week To Discuss Reopening Pickens County Hospital's Emergency Department

CARROLLTON, AL — A town hall meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 11, to discuss ongoing efforts to reopen the emergency department at the now-closed Pickens County Medical Center.

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As Patch previously reported, the Pickens County Health Care Authority announced in March 2020 that the financial condition of the 56-bed hospital left it unfeasible to remain open, despite grassroots efforts to ensure its survival. These initiatives included a push by the mayor of Aliceville to reopen the hospital.

What's more, a push during the 2023 legislative session for $8 million for an Adolescent Mental Healthcare Facility at Pickens County Medical Center failed to pass during the general fund budget process.

State Rep. Ron Bolton, a Republican from Northport, told constituents that it was initially budgeted at $10 million, but was stripped to $8 million in the initial House General Fund budget and then eliminated completely in the final budget in the Senate.

"While this is a setback, this is the closest we've come to reality on this project," he said. "Our work continues and as we work with the state Mental Health department, we hope this specific item will be presented again in their budget request for the next legislative session."

With respect to the push to reopen the hospital's emergency department, Bolton said the town hall event will be held on Tuesday, July 11 at 9 a.m. at the Service Center in Carrollton

The event will be live-streamed on Bolton's Facebook page and will be accessible for later viewing.

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