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Columbia Memorial Health (CMH) officials have confirmed that the hospital in Hudson is not closing. Instead, they are seeking to change the hospital's designation from a rural referral hospital to a critical access hospital, which will reduce the number of medical and surgical beds from 192 to 25. CMH CEO Dorothy Urschel stated that many beds are underutilized, with only 35 to 50 being used daily, and this change will allow the hospital to reinvest while maintaining essential services.
The hospital plans to maintain its 24/7 emergency room and all current services, including primary care and outpatient centers. The change requires approval from state and federal regulators and is expected to take two years to complete. If approved, the hospital will also increase its mental health bed count to 45, requiring a separate operating license.
Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson expressed concerns over potential service and job losses, stating that the community cannot afford cuts when healthcare needs are increasing. In response, CMH will host a town hall meeting on Wednesday (October 29) to address community concerns and provide updates on the hospital's future plans.
The hospital, part of the Albany Med Health System, is committed to serving Columbia and Greene counties and plans to expand the Greene County Medical Arts building, enhancing various medical services.