Statement from Sens. Craven and Krawiec on Randolph Health Merger

Raleigh, N.C. — Today, Randolph Health announced its merger with Java Medical Group. The announcement comes after the General Assembly passed the Rural Health Care Stabilization Program. The program provides below-market interest rate loans to rural hospitals on the brink of closure. Randolph Health is the first hospital to receive a loan from the program.

“Java Medical Group knows and understands the needs of rural health care,” Sen. Dave Craven (R-Randolph) said. “This merger will be transformational for Randolph County. This partnership not only signals a new commitment to improve the health and well-being of our community, but also a significant commitment to our economic vitality. I’m excited to see what the future holds for the new Randolph Health.”

As part of the deal, Java is retaining all current employees and will utilize the existing facilities.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth), “I know how devastating it can be when a community loses its local hospital. I watched as residents in Yadkin County struggled to find care and have to travel out of county when their hospital closed. That’s why I was such a strong supporter of this program. It was established to prevent that from happening in other rural communities, and it’s doing just that in Randolph.”

Recently-retired Sen. Jerry Tillman (R-Randolph) was a primary sponsor of the stabilization program when it was introduced in the Senate.