www . unioncountymag . com � 10th Anniversary
By Norm Cooper Editor , Union County GA Magazine
Georgia HEART Program is a hospital tax credit opportunity which has been a great benefit for Union General Hospital in Blairsville and Chatuge Regional Hospital in Hiawassee , as well as a benefit to Georgia taxpayers .
The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation that enables Georgia taxpayers to receive a state income tax Credit for 100 % of the amount they contribute to qualified rural hospital organizations . Those who pay Georgia income taxes are eligible for contributing to Union General Hospital or Chatuge Regional Hospital , under certain guidelines .
“ If you are a standard taxpayer like myself ,” said Union General Health System Chief Financial Officer Nick Townsend , “ we receive 100 percent credit on state income taxes . You can pay your Georgia state taxes through the hospital .”
For instance , if you owe the state $ 1,000 in state taxes , instead of sending it to the Georgia Department of Revenue , you pay that amount to Union General Hospital or Chatuge Regional Hospital and those funds remain local and used at one of our hospitals .
“ Union General Hospital and Chatuge Regional Hospital can each receive up to $ 4 million per
Georgia HEART Tax Credit Program Benefits Union General when Local Taxpayers send Georgia Taxes Due to the State Directly to Union General
nick tonson , shiefg nicki townson , over
Union General Hospital as seen from 3rd Floor of new Medical Office Building
More information can be obtained from : Nick ......... nicktownsend @ uniongeneral . org Lindsey .... lindseytownsend @ uniongeneral . org Lindsey .... by phone at 706-896-7196
Information is on the website www . uniongeneralhealthsystem . com / georgiaheart
calendar year ,” said Nick . “ We have never hit that cap . We average $ 1.2 million for each facility . We would like to see that reach $ 4 million .”
Georgia ’ s elected officials created the opportunity for financial support for the state ’ s rural hospitals . It is the only program of it ’ s kind in the nation . Union General Health System became involved in 2016 .
Lindsey Townsend , the Directory of Philanthropic Outreach for Union General Health System , is over the Georgia Heart Program for both hospitals .
“ The hospitals as a whole are so important to both of our communities ,” said Lindsey . “ Our local communities depend on our quality heath care . We
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rely on donations from programs like this so we can perform much needed renovations , purchasing upgraded equipment and recruiting specialty providers .”
Bringing specialty providers to Union County eliminates the need for local patients to travel somewhere else for heath care .
“ Patients can get health care at home because of programs like this ,” Lindsey said .
Among projects that have benefited in Blairsville is the new Medical Office Building and renovation to the Rehabilitation Services Department .
“ The Heart Program provides for financial resources that are often times not there for rural markets ,” said Nick . “ The state
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Union County GA Magazine � Holiday 2022 Winter 2023 � Page 15
photos / NormC
Nick Townsend Lindsey Townsend
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set out to inject capital funds into rural areas that are typically overlooked in health care .”
Business owners who qualify can receive additional benefits . “ You can take your income tax credit at the state level , then you get a federal tax deduction on top of that ,” said Nick . “ You can net money if you qualify as a pass-through entity . The good thing about this program is seeing your tax dollars stay here locally and you see the benefits here locally .”
There is an application process and time is of the essence . Georgia has a statewide cap on the program for 2023 and once the cap is reached , applications are shut down .
“ We are urging our local residents and businesses get their applications in early ,” said Lindsey .
Contributions can be made by any Georgia taxpayer anywhere in the state to Union General Heath System , they do not have to be a resident here .
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