The healthcare landscape in the United States is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by a troubling rise in hospital closures.
Persistent workforce shortages, severe fractures in the supply chain for drugs and supplies, and high levels of inflation have collectively have created an environment of financial uncertainty where many hospitals and health systems are operating with little to no margin.
A 2023 report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform (CHQPR) revealed that over 600 rural hospitals were at risk of closing due to persistent financial challenges.
From 2005 to 2022, 186 rural hospitals closed or converted to facilities that no longer provide inpatient care, with closures accelerating in 2023.
This alarming trend has far-reaching consequences for communities, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is already limited.
As of June 11, 2024, Becker’s has reported on 13 hospital and emergency department closures, underscoring the urgency of this issue. Some notable closures include:
- University of Missouri Health Care Women’s Hospital in Columbia, transitioning all services to a new facility, effective June 12.
- Select Specialty Hospital in Longview, Texas, set to close by June 30, resulting in the loss of 94 jobs.
- Prairieville Family Hospital in Louisiana, which closed on April 29 following a state license revocation.
- Family Hospital at Papillion in Nebraska, abruptly shut down in late March.
- New England Sinai Hospital in Stoughton, Massachusetts, a 182-bed rehabilitation hospital that closed at the end of March due to low Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Community hospitals, which include nonfederal, short-term general, and specialty hospitals, play a crucial role in providing accessible healthcare. There are 5,129 community hospitals in the United States, encompassing academic medical centers and other teaching hospitals. However, the closure trend is not limited to rural areas. Urban hospitals are also affected, with emergency departments and specialized services being reduced or shut down altogether.
The financial challenges leading to these closures are multifaceted. They include high operational costs, inadequate reimbursement rates from government programs, and a shift in care needs that reduce the number of patients requiring inpatient services.
The consequences of hospital closures are profound. Communities lose critical access to healthcare services, which can lead to delays in treatment and poorer health outcomes. Emergency care becomes less accessible, and residents may have to travel long distances to receive care, increasing the burden on already vulnerable populations.
For instance, the closure of Stringfellow Memorial Hospital’s inpatient services in Anniston, Alabama, means that patients now have to rely on the main hospital campus located a mile away, potentially leading to overcrowding and longer wait times.
Hospitals are frequently a community’s largest employer so closing them has a catastrophic impact on the local economy.
With nearly 700 rural hospitals facing the risk of closure, immediate action is required to address this healthcare crisis. Solutions may include policy changes to improve reimbursement rates, financial support for struggling hospitals, and innovative models of care that can adapt to changing healthcare needs.
While advocates for economic justice have in recent years proposed measures to ensure that all Americans have access to essential healthcare services, the political establishment has refused to limit the concentration of wealth among the ultra-rich or redistribute resources to support vital public services.
The closure of hospitals across the United States is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention from policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities.
Ensuring that all Americans have access to quality healthcare is paramount, and addressing the root causes of hospital closures is a critical step toward achieving this goal.
As the healthcare situation continues to devolve, it is essential for citizens to prioritize the needs of all, particularly those in underserved and rural areas, when it comes to making voting choices.