$750,000 has been awarded by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to help East Liverpool City Hospital transition its East Palestine primary care clinic to a new location.

The funds will allow for the clinic to apply to become a federally certified Rural Health Clinic (RHC), which would allow operators to access additional revenue streams to ensure the clinic's long-term sustainability.

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.

Following the fiery train derailment in the Village of East Palestine back in 2023, ODH opened a temporary health clinic for residents of East Palestine in partnership with East Liverpool City Hospital.

From there, the hospital opened as a permanent clinic a few months later and has provided comprehensive primary care services to local residents, including treatment, prescriptions, lab testing and much more for nearly two years.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is quoted in a press release stating this is another way Ohio officials are continuing to assist the residents of East Palestine two years after the derailment.

"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," DeWine said.

According to the release, 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.