Jun 3, 2024
Broadcast featuring insights from industry experts Michael Topchik and Dr. Lesley Ogden on The Chartis Center for Rural Health's recent report, highlighting escalating challenges and hospital closures in America's rural healthcare system
A report from the Chartis Center for Rural Health highlights the ongoing crisis faced by rural hospitals in the U.S., with the situation worsening over the past year. The percentage of rural hospitals operating in the red has increased from 43% to 50%, and many have been forced to close or discontinue vital services like inpatient care, obstetrics, and chemotherapy. Factors contributing to this crisis include higher labor costs, inadequate reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid, and the rise of Medicare Advantage plans, which pose additional financial challenges. Despite Medicaid expansion providing some relief, many rural hospitals still struggle to remain financially viable.