Ascension Saint Thomas is committed to serving Sparta/White County residents

Ascension Saint Thomas wants to assure Sparta it is not going anywhere.

In June, there were concerns raised by studies from the UNC- Chapel Hill that many rural hospitals would be at risk from President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Ascension Saint Thomas, in Sparta, was one of the rural hospitals labeled by the study at risk. Bradley Lowery, chief administrative officer, of Ascension Saint Thomas Highlands, in Sparta, has provided a statement to The Expositor assuring the hospital has no plans to shut down at current.

Lowery understands the concerns of residents who were afraid of a potential shut down.

He says, “Rural hospitals have long faced financial pressures. In many cases, reimbursement rates do not cover the full cost of care. At Highlands, we provided $15.2 million in uncompensated care in fiscal year 2025. Much of this care is required by law, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, yet we often receive little or no reimbursement. Policy changes like those in H.R. 1 will make an already difficult environment even more complex. Still, we remain committed to meeting our community’s needs.”

He continues by stating the report conducted by UNC was not created by the hospital. They were not directly involved in the report and its data collection process, and it does not reflect their current financial or operational status. While the hospital can never promise that no changes will come, Lowery says, “What we can promise is our continued commitment to our mission in Sparta.”

Lowery finished his statement with this:

“I will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure that communities like Sparta are part of every healthcare conversation.

“I did not come to Sparta by accident. My wife and I moved our family here because we believe in this community and in the mission of Ascension Saint Thomas. With years of experience in rural healthcare, I understand how much a local hospital means to the people it serves. And as a father and neighbor, I rely on it, too.

“For more than 125 years, Ascension Saint Thomas has cared for communities across Middle Tennessee. We are proud to be part of that legacy and are working every day to strengthen it. Thank you for your continued trust and support as we move forward together.”