(Boone Health CEO Brady Dubois)
Local leaders in Mexico and Boone Health put pen to paper tonight (Monday) and signed a Letter of Intent to establish a critical access hospital in Audrain County.
The ceremonial signing took place during an open session of a Mexico City Council meeting and an Audrain County Commission meeting held simultaneously at Mexico City Hall on Monday, October 14, 2024.
The Audrain County Commission, City of Mexico, Audrain County Health Department and Boone Health signed the formal Letter of Intent.
Boone Health CEO Brady Dubois says this begins the process of establishing a Medicare certified hospital in Mexico.
Boone Health says the goal is to finalize a management or lease in the coming months after completing due diligence.
Official press release from Boone Health:
The new hospital will feature emergency care services and provide Audrain County residents with critical care that does not currently exist in the community.
MEXICO, Mo. – Today, at a ceremonial signing event at Mexico City Hall, the Audrain County Commission, City of Mexico, Audrain County Health Department, and Boone Health took a significant step toward enhancing healthcare access in the region as they signed a formal Letter of Intent (LOI) to begin the process of establishing a Medicare-certified critical access hospital in Mexico, Mo.
“This is a very exciting day for our county and community. Signing the Letter of Intent with Boone Health, a top-quality health care provider, is a tremendous next step in the process of securing sustainable health care for our residents,” said Alan Winders, Audrain County Presiding Commissioner.
“We are proud of the cooperative efforts of the Audrain County Health Department, the City of Mexico and the Audrain County Commission standing with Boone Health as this process moves forward toward a better future for all of us,” The LOI outlines the intent of all parties to work collaboratively toward a comprehensive agreement that would bring a new critical access hospital to the community.
The proposed facility would provide emergency and related services, filling a critical healthcare gap in Audrain County.
Under the proposed plan, Boone Health will manage or lease the hospital facility once constructed, ensuring high-quality, accessible healthcare for residents.
“This is an important next step to secure a hospital operator to deliver health care for generations to come.
We have many details to work through over the next several months, but we have a great partner in Boone Health in evaluating the feasibility of this project,” said Bruce
Slagle, city manager of the city of Mexico.
With the LOI signed, the next step is for all parties to engage in further discussions and evaluate the clinical, financial, and regulatory aspects of the proposed hospital. The goal is to finalize a management or lease agreement in the coming months after completing additional due diligence.
The proposed facility will be designed to meet the specific needs of Mexico, Mo., and surrounding areas, with a focus on emergency services and other critical healthcare functions.
“We look forward to the potential of partnering with the Audrain County municipalities to bring a vital resource to the region.
Access to quality emergency care can save lives, and we are committed to making this project a reality,” said Brady Dubois, president and CEO of Boone Health.
The project is subject to ongoing feasibility assessments, and the next steps will involve securing funding and finalizing project plans.
The LOI is a non-binding agreement that allows both Boone Health and the municipalities to continue negotiations with the goal of reaching a definitive agreement.