Hundreds of rural hospitals may face closure: report

Hundreds of rural hospitals may face closure: report
Modern Healthcare; by Mari Devereaux; 8/6/24
Around 700 rural hospitals are at risk of closing, with more than half of those at a high risk of closing in the next several years due to steep debt levels and low revenue, according to a recent report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. Twelve rural hospitals have closed since the start of 2023 as a result of severe financial issues, and 28 eliminated inpatient services in order to qualify for higher pay under the rural emergency hospital program, the July report said. The closures and loss of inpatient services have had detrimental impacts on vulnerable rural communities, in many cases eliminating jobs and causing patients to lose access to chemotherapy, surgery and obstetrics-gynecology services, experts say.