Drew Memorial Hospital at Monticello reported last month that their financial woes are continuing as the most recent cash balance showed a decline of more than $1.2 million.

According to the Advance Monticellonian newspaper, the hospital contacted Baptist Health and representatives of that organization attended the most recent meeting of the Monticello Health Services Board.

Baptist Health CEO Doug Wells told the board health care is facing challenges coming out of the pandemic, including payer issues, labor issues, and said he has seen those same problems at other facilities.

He said Drew Memorial is surrounded by mostly critical care hospitals in the region and that affects how the hospital is paid. Drew Memorial is not a critical care hospital.

He told the board the weakness is a revenue cycle problem.

“You don’t have the leverage that an organization like Baptist Health does when you walk into a room and start talking rates,” Wells said. “You have labor challenges. We have the ability to spread those costs out.”

The board is expected to announce a decision on joining Baptist Health at their next meeting later this month.