Hospitals should be allowed to restart elective procedures immediately, according to a letter from an Alabama Congressman to Gov. Kay Ivey.

Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, and other Congressional representatives from Alabama were asked by Gov. Ivey to submit reports on reopening the economy closed for almost two months by the coronavirus pandemic.

In his report, Aderholt said he believed hospitals should be able to operate on a “non-crisis” basis, accompanied by a “robust testing program for at-risk healthcare workers.”

Aderholt said the recommendation originated from a task force he formed to advise him on reopening plans. The group was made up of 13 representatives from the medical, retail, hospitality and restaurant, banking, transportation, engineering and manufacturing industries.

The hospital administrator in the group said elective procedures should be allowed to be restarted immediately because current restrictions have severely reduced income while, at the same time, they are treating few, if any, COVID-19 patients.

“There are two hospitals in my district that are on the verge of closure and must increase their revenue to stay open,” Aderholt said.

Aderholt’s 4th Congressional District includes Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Marshall, Walker and Winston counties, as well as parts of Blount, Cherokee, Jackson and Tuscaloosa counties.

Aderholt said he is in favor of a “measured plan” to reopen the economy in phases and should focus on a county-by-county basis.

“I feel that the state, where appropriate, should work on a regional or county basis to modify these criteria to fit the local circumstances. After all, what will work for Tuscaloosa County may not work for DeKalb County,” Aderholt said.

You can read the complete letter here.

Alabama U.S. House members begin providing recommendations to reopen state biz to Ivey