Report: One in Four Rural Hospitals Could Close

A recent report has some disturbing news for rural hospitals saying one in four of them could close to do worsened conditions heightened by COVID-19, and Kansas is one of the most at-risk states. An annual report by Guidehouse says that there are “354 at-risk rural hospitals span 40 states and represent more than 222,350 annual discharges, 51,800 employees, and $8.3 billion in total patient revenue.” And that survey was taken before COVID-19 even hit.

Of the 287 hospitals surveyed, 81 percent are considered vital to their communities. Patients living close to rural hospitals are reportedly seeking care elsewhere.

“Rural hospitals are not only essential to the health and wellness of nearby residents, they are often a rural county’s largest employer and a crucial economic link for other local businesses and job creators,” said  Dave Mosley, Guidehouse partner, in a press release. “It was already troubling that the economic outlook for rural hospitals deteriorated during the longest period of uninterrupted economic growth our country has ever experienced. A major crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic or any significant economic downturn is likely to make the situation even more dire.”

Read a state-by-state report here.

Meanwhile, federal aid began flowing today to cash-strapped rural hospitals across Kansas, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), at a recent University of Kansas Health System teleconference.

And U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) recently said: “As Missouri deals with the coronavirus, we are witnessing firsthand the importance of rural hospitals to our district, proving vital medical resources to nearly 2.25 million people in our state who live in rural communities.” 

Hartzler said she is in discussions with Missouri Gov. Mike Parson about the issue.