Solution for FCMH in appropriations bill signed into law

President Donald Trump signed a bill containing five appropriations packages Tuesday afternoon that contained language to keep Franklin County Memorial Hospital running.

The hospital was facing a pinch after its designation as a Critical Care Facility expired on Jan. 15. Despite efforts from local officials, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid would not change its decision.

Language in the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriation bill changed all of that on Tuesday afternoon. After a protracted process in the U.S. Senate, the package of five appropriations bills were passed and returned to the House since the bill had been modified. Because of the modification, the package had to be returned to the House for approval.

After threats of voting the package down, the U.S. House passed the measure by a slim 217-214 margin on Tuesday. President Trump signed the bill before 5 p.m. Tuesday.

This story broke after the Feb. 5 edition of The Franklin Advocate had been sent to press. For a complete wrap up of the events surrounding the situation, be sure and pick up a copy of the Feb. 12 edition.