In their last meeting of 2025, the Eureka Springs Hospital Commission approved their 2026 budget. CEO Tiffany Means covered the goals of the budget for next year, saying that it was not meant to be aggressive in growth but rather to make sure the hospital remained sustainable through the 2026 year.
Chair Sandy Martin gave an overview of the budget with a revenue goal for 2026 of $15 million that includes the Rural Emergency Hospital reimbursement from the state, and $12 million without that reimbursement. Martin explained they wanted to make a budget where the hospital could function even if REH funds were to disappear and concluded that the hospital could do so. She also said that grants were not included in the budget so those are potential revenue streams for the hospital.
Martin explained that revenue nets down to $8,821,000 with total expenses of $8,292,056 with a slight budgeted profit for 2026 of $528,963. Means and Martin noted that the budget would be a “working budget” with Means saying that quarterly reviews of the budget would continue to happen internally. Martin also noted that the commission would see some expense line items increasing from 2025 – 2026 with facility upgrades the most notable at a jump from 11 percent expenses to 26 percent. Martin described the facility repairs to the 1927 facility as a “wildcard” as there are unknowns on how to fully renovate that portion of the hospital.
Martin also said that she would like to see marketing go up in the next year, though it is not higher in the budget. She explained that while staff is working hard at community outreach, that sort of outreach and public education requires staff to be away from the hospital, and marketing funds could help alleviate some of that need so staff is able to spend more time in hospital.
Also approved during the meeting were annual approvals of the Quality Assessment Improvement Plan and the hospital’s Risk Policy. Both items are reviewed by staff and are required by CMS and the state.
Other Items
- Commissioners and staff discussed doing more outreach for services that the hospital ER can provide, including alcohol detox.
- Structural Risk Assessment of the 1927 building has been completed. Means said she is waiting for that report and would provide it to the commission.
- Staff has also worked on disaster preparedness drills, and a new generator test has been completed with rewiring in the hospital completed for outlets that needed to be connected to the generator should power be lost.
- Means and Martin both spoke on the hospital offering infusion treatment in the future with Means saying there is a need and demand for it in the area.