Eureka Springs Hospital CEO Angie Shaw announced at the Eureka Springs Hospital Commission’s meeting on Monday, Nov. 20, that $4,589,119 in state funding has been appropriated to the hospital as part of its new Rural Emergency Hospital designation.

The appropriation was approved during a meeting of the Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday, Nov. 17, in Little Rock.

The hospital is expected to receive half of the appropriated funds in 10 business days and the second half after the REH designation is official.

The commission voted to approve the proposed designation change at a special called meeting on Oct. 16. The change will allow the hospital to receive grant funds and payments from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) specifically earmarked for rural emergency hospitals.