Health care experts and practitioners alike worry that explicit language preventing the use of the program funds to prevent rural hospitals from closing is a death sentence to many of the facilities already struggling to stay open.
Independent and rural hospitals are collaborating with their neighbors to shore up their finances instead of joining larger health systems to stay afloat.
The U.S. already faced shortages in its health care workforce, then the pandemic spurred even more doctors and nurses to retire or leave hospital jobs. Filling those vacancies is a challenge.
Political drama involving a rural Georgia county reflects how state regulations that govern when and where hospitals can be built or expanded are evolving.
As small and rural hospitals struggle against cyber attacks, a federally brokered deal will allow them to access free and discounted cybersecurity services. Experts say it may not be enough.
Hundreds of Black hospitals in the U.S. closed after passage of the Civil Rights Act when health care became integrated. Black communities lost a source of employment and pride.
Rural hospitals sometimes look for lifelines through consolidation with big city hospitals. Now a couple of rural hospitals in Middle Georgia are trying a grassroots approach emphasizing local ownership. And, they say, it’s working.
Recent publications point to differing estimates of how many hospitals are at risk, but consider ownership, profitability and debt as contributing factors.
A feasibility study underway will help decide the new model for the facility. Randolph County lost its only hospital in 2020 after decades in operation.
Just 18 facilities were converted into Rural Emergency Hospitals so far. Advocates and lawmakers say tweaks to the law are needed to widen the reach and keep health care in rural communities.
More than half of seniors choose private Medicare Advantage plans instead of traditional Medicare. As rural enrollment increases, many small-town hospitals say that threatens their viability.
By converting to a Rural Emergency Hospital, existing rural hospitals commit to changing their model of care, with a focus on emergency medicine, in exchange for subsidies from the federal government.
Wednesday at Political Rewind:The Legislature passed Senate Bill 140, which would block gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Will Gov. Brian Kemp sign the bill? Meanwhile: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is pushing a bill on hospitals in rural Georgia that could benefit his family's business.
