![Allen G. Breed Linda Gibson poses for a portrait on the porch of her home in Williamston, N.C., on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The minster and school volunteer says people live in fear since their local hospital closed last summer. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/ Allen G. Breed)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/e13b94a3df7a45a5b78e1bca5b71ce5a/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Linda Gibson poses for a portrait on the porch of her home in Williamston, N.C., on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The minster and school volunteer says people live in fear since their local hospital closed last summer. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/ Allen G. Breed)
![Allen G. Breed Capt. Kenny Warren stands inside an ambulance at the Williamston, N.C., Fire and Rescue Squad on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Warren says run times have doubled since the local hospital closed last August. The struggle to reopen the city's only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/418248a2d1c245da81be16fa2b38cfd0/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Capt. Kenny Warren stands inside an ambulance at the Williamston, N.C., Fire and Rescue Squad on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Warren says run times have doubled since the local hospital closed last August. The struggle to reopen the city's only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)
![Allen G. Breed Linda Gibson poses for a portrait on the porch of her home in Williamston, N.C., on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The minster and school volunteer says people live in fear since their local hospital closed last summer. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/ Allen G. Breed)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/8bb7f6a009f04a8b9d81a16b3bf2e88e/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Linda Gibson poses for a portrait on the porch of her home in Williamston, N.C., on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The minster and school volunteer says people live in fear since their local hospital closed last summer. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/ Allen G. Breed)
![Allen G. Breed Martin General Hospital sits vacant in Williamston, N.C., on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After the closing of Williamston's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/a53266c1a62549578522d1349c75c6c8/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Martin General Hospital sits vacant in Williamston, N.C., on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After the closing of Williamston's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)
![Allen G. Breed Capt. Kenny Warren holds the overdose drug naloxone in an ambulance at the Williamston, N.C., Fire and Rescue Squad on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Warren says run times have doubled since the local hospital closed last August. The struggle to reopen the city's only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/33abc2fc85024500af840bcfe9e51494/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Capt. Kenny Warren holds the overdose drug naloxone in an ambulance at the Williamston, N.C., Fire and Rescue Squad on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Warren says run times have doubled since the local hospital closed last August. The struggle to reopen the city's only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)
![Karl B Deblaker Mayor Dean McCall of Williamston, center, leads a ribbon cutting for the new Agabe Health services clinic, with Camilla Hudgines, third left, Kristin Warren, left, Maria Guadalupe Olivares, right, Dr Michael McDuffie, second right, and Dr Wendi Carlton, second right, outside the entrance to the clinic in Williamston, N.C., Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After Martin General closed, the city's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. This could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/e6841efafb694a3bbf962728e85748bb/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Mayor Dean McCall of Williamston, center, leads a ribbon cutting for the new Agabe Health services clinic, with Camilla Hudgines, third left, Kristin Warren, left, Maria Guadalupe Olivares, right, Dr Michael McDuffie, second right, and Dr Wendi Carlton, second right, outside the entrance to the clinic in Williamston, N.C., Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After Martin General closed, the city's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. This could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
![Karl B Deblaker The sign for the vacant Martin County General Hospital sits under a blue tarp since being closed in August of 2023 in Williamston, N.C., Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After Williamston only hospital closed, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/f6e6a50fc0a3490fbec0040b121129ce/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
The sign for the vacant Martin County General Hospital sits under a blue tarp since being closed in August of 2023 in Williamston, N.C., Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After Williamston only hospital closed, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
![Allen G. Breed In this image taken from video, Verna Perry berates members of the Martin County Board of Commissioners during a hearing in Williamston, N.C., on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. "Our people are dying!" She told the panel. "They're suffering!" After Martin General closed, Williamston's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/8e1b1a9d8c4c41f39648697416f82b33/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
In this image taken from video, Verna Perry berates members of the Martin County Board of Commissioners during a hearing in Williamston, N.C., on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. "Our people are dying!" She told the panel. "They're suffering!" After Martin General closed, Williamston's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)
![Allen G. Breed A garbage bag hangs from a hospital sign along U.S. 17 in Williamston, N.C., on Thursday, April 11, 2024. After the closing of Martin General, Williamston's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/c0d9ec43542a4b25ab740bbf3fa3896b/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A garbage bag hangs from a hospital sign along U.S. 17 in Williamston, N.C., on Thursday, April 11, 2024. After the closing of Martin General, Williamston's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)
![Allen G. Breed Linda Gibson poses on the porch of her home in Williamston, N.C., on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The minster and school volunteer says people live in fear since their local hospital closed last summer. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/ Allen G. Breed)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/492c78b09bd04f3d99993a0c2d90aa28/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Linda Gibson poses on the porch of her home in Williamston, N.C., on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The minster and school volunteer says people live in fear since their local hospital closed last summer. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/ Allen G. Breed)
![Allen G. Breed Capt. Kenny Warren leans on an ambulance at the Williamston, N.C., Fire and Rescue Squad on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Warren says run times have doubled since the local hospital closed last August. The struggle to reopen the city's only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/f7003d9477484eca96a2654706651b55/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Capt. Kenny Warren leans on an ambulance at the Williamston, N.C., Fire and Rescue Squad on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Warren says run times have doubled since the local hospital closed last August. The struggle to reopen the city's only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)
![Allen G. Breed Martin General Hospital sits vacant in Williamston, N.C., on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After the closing of Williamston's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/2ff07e2de0c1479185853509e954719b/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Martin General Hospital sits vacant in Williamston, N.C., on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After the closing of Williamston's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)
![Karl B Deblaker The vacant Martin County General Hospital sits abandoned behind a chain since being closed since being closed in August of 2023 in Williamston, N.C., Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After Williamston's only hospital closed, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/c640614c8c154d83a3a281cef6afc83f/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
The vacant Martin County General Hospital sits abandoned behind a chain since being closed since being closed in August of 2023 in Williamston, N.C., Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After Williamston's only hospital closed, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
![Karl B Deblaker Dr. Michael McDuffie, CEO Agape Heath Services of Eastern North Carolina, speaks during an interview inside one of the clinic rooms in Williamston, N.C., Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After Martin General closed, the city's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. McDuffie wants to reopen Martin General, even if just as a stand-alone emergency room. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/b5a6abf0c7df422bb517cf223d0a1d00/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Dr. Michael McDuffie, CEO Agape Heath Services of Eastern North Carolina, speaks during an interview inside one of the clinic rooms in Williamston, N.C., Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After Martin General closed, the city's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. McDuffie wants to reopen Martin General, even if just as a stand-alone emergency room. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
![Allen G. Breed Linda Gibson, left, and Verna Perry attend a Martin County Board of Commissioners meeting in Williamston, N.C., on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. The two are among many who blame the panel for the closure of their rural community's hospital last year. Residents of Williamston say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/cc7b6d04d971495985487b9c434bc165/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Linda Gibson, left, and Verna Perry attend a Martin County Board of Commissioners meeting in Williamston, N.C., on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. The two are among many who blame the panel for the closure of their rural community's hospital last year. Residents of Williamston say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)
![Karl B Deblaker Dr Michael McDuffie, CEO Agape Heath Services of Eastern North Carolina, left, speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony outside the clinic with Kristen Warren, at right, in Williamston, N.C., Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After Martin General closed, the city's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. McDuffie wants to reopen Martin General, even if just as a stand-alone emergency room. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/c318ef1078384976b9f0060043892e6a/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Dr Michael McDuffie, CEO Agape Heath Services of Eastern North Carolina, left, speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony outside the clinic with Kristen Warren, at right, in Williamston, N.C., Wednesday, April 10, 2024. After Martin General closed, the city's only hospital, residents there say they're not only worried about their health but they've lost trust in politicians. The struggle to reopen its only emergency room could signal trouble for President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, which is centered around his health care accomplishments. McDuffie wants to reopen Martin General, even if just as a stand-alone emergency room. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)