The Alabama Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) took significant steps this month toward expanding medical services in key areas of need across the state, including mental health, geriatric care, and rehabilitation.

According to Alabama Political Reporter (APR), the proposals were reviewed and approved during the SHCC’s June meeting, as part of the state’s broader efforts to strengthen patient care capacity in underserved sectors.

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Among the proposals approved was a plan by Coosa Valley Medical Center to increase its inpatient services. The Sylacauga-based hospital received SHCC approval to add five additional beds to its existing 20-bed geriatric psychiatric unit, as well as 20 new adult mental health beds. The expansion aims to address growing demand for psychiatric care in the region, where current capacity limits have resulted in frequent patient transfers and extended emergency room stays.

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Following the SHCC’s approval, the proposal must now go before the Certificate of Need Review Board (CONRB) and ultimately be signed by Governor Kay Ivey before implementation can begin. If finalized, the hospital will have 12 months to initiate key actions such as renovation work or contractor agreements to maintain its approved status.

 Coosa Valley Medical Center is not alone in seeking to expand care options. At a subsequent CONRB meeting on June 18, five additional healthcare facilities received approval for projects aimed at increasing bed capacity and broadening care services:

• Springhill Hospital in Mobile received approval to add 20 inpatient rehabilitation beds, building on its current 18-bed capacity.

• Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Dothan was approved to expand by 10 additional inpatient physical rehabilitation beds, bringing its total to 66.

• Dominion Senior Living of Birmingham received approval to construct a new specialty care assisted living facility in Mountain Brook. The facility will include 32 memory care beds relocated from Jefferson County’s Summit Life Care, 98 independent living units, and 32 assisted living beds as part of a larger senior living community.

• North Alabama Shoals Hospital was approved to add two inpatient adult psychiatric beds.

• Bridgeway ABA Therapy in Elmore County received permission to expand its offerings to include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy, in addition to its existing behavioral analysis services.

The proposals reflect a statewide push to enhance healthcare infrastructure, particularly in mental health and elder care areas, where capacity shortages continue to impact hospitals and patients.

All projects requiring a Certificate of Need will also need final approval from Governor Ivey before moving forward.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.