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.
Independent community pharmacies are weighing whether they can afford to offer drugs at their new rates, even as direct-to-consumer pharmacies are expanding.
The widening gap underscores ongoing pressures and the need for all organizations to remain diligent. We discuss the trends, what’s driving them, and what’s at stake.
Walmart’s announced closure of health centers and telehealth services comes after other retailers have scaled back clinical services. Meanwhile, healthcare deserts continue expanding.
America’s rural hospitals have been battling against drivers of instability for more than a decade, but this newest research suggests the crisis has accelerated quickly to previously unseen levels.
Maternity services are being cut at an increasing rate across the country, creating “care deserts” where access is limited or nonexistent, potentially exacerbating high maternal mortality rates.
Large swaths of rural America lack access to specific crucial medical services, such as obstetrics, which data shows has drastically declined even in areas where hospitals remain open.
Despite an immediate stay, Congress has a November deadline to avoid a shutdown—which could inhibit funding for clinical research and public health, and limit services for low-income individuals.
As these critical organizations struggle to stay afloat, a tailored approach to collaborating with government programs, health systems, and community organizations may offer a path forward.
As economic conditions further challenge rural hospitals, partnerships may offer some solutions. But leaders need to understand both the benefits and drawbacks of such opportunities.