Columbus, OH -- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, on Feb 13th, announced the award of $750,000 to help East Liverpool City Hospital transition its East Palestine primary care clinic to a new location.

The funding will enable the clinic to apply to become a federally certified Rural Health Clinic (RHC). This would allow operators to access additional revenue streams, helping to ensure the clinic’s long-term sustainability.

“Two years after the train derailment in East Palestine, we are staying true to our word to residents. We will continue to stand by their side as long as it takes,” said Governor DeWine. “This investment will set up East Palestine’s health clinic for long-term success – ensuring that residents will be able to continue accessing this convenient healthcare resource in their community, even after the cleanup ends.”

Partnering with East Liverpool City Hospital, ODH originally opened a temporary health clinic for East Palestine area residents in February 2023, just days after the Norfolk Southern train derailment.

ODH then supported the hospital as it opened a permanent clinic in April 2023. For nearly two years, this clinic has provided comprehensive primary care services to local residents, including treatment, prescriptions, lab testing, and more.

“The additional funding we have provided is another signal of the state’s continued commitment under the leadership of Governor DeWine to safeguard the health and well-being of East Palestine area residents,” said ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA. “From the beginning, we said we would remain involved in the community, and this new iteration of the health clinic should allow it to better serve residents for years to come.”

An RHC is a facility located in a rural area which has been identified as having a shortage of personal health services or primary medical manpower.

As an RHC, the clinic would receive payments based on a set rate, which can be higher than the typical fee-for-service reimbursement received by traditional clinics.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Ohio Department of Health for their generous support of our primary care clinic, which provides high-quality care to the residents in East Palestine. East Liverpool City Hospital’s commitment to the East Palestine community remains unwavering. We strive to provide exceptional healthcare, improve health outcomes, support the well-being of those we serve, and are dedicated to being a trusted partner in this journey for years to come,” said Stephanie Conn, President and CEO of East Liverpool City Hospital.

Hospital officials are currently evaluating options for a new location for the clinic, but don’t expect to have a site announcement for several months.

This investment marks the latest commitment under the DeWine administration to provide both physical and mental health supports to the East Palestine community following the East Palestine train derailment.

In July 2024, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and other local partners opened a new facility to support the mental health of community members affected by the train derailment.

Managed by the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, the East Palestine Resiliency Center offers a wide array of services to those affected by the derailment, including mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, individual, family, and group counseling, and more. Since opening, the new resiliency center has served over 3,500 individuals.