Instability continues to threaten rural health safety net
Across the US, the rural health safety net remains under intense pressure. Since 2010, 182 rural hospitals closed or converted to an operating model that excludes inpatient care. According to our newest analysis, 46% of rural hospitals are in the red, and 432 are vulnerable to closure. This loss—and potential future loss—of access to care is compounded by rural America’s weakening population health status and expanding “care deserts” for vital services.
This study by The Chartis Center for Rural Health provides a lens into key factors driving instability throughout the rural health safety net along with an exploration of rural population health domains to provide additional context for understanding care delivery challenges within rural communities.
“For the more than 46 million people who live in rural areas, the rapid deterioration of access to care and persistent financial strain raise pointed questions about the safety net’s ability to continue to meet the needs of these communities in the future.”
