Tag: rural hospitals

Repeal of CON laws for ASCs expands healthcare access, number of facilities in rural areas

Editor's Note This fall 2024 study published by the CATO Institute found that repealing Certificate-of-Need (CON) laws for ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) would significantly increase the number of ASCs, improving patient access to affordable and high-quality care. By examining six states that repealed ASC-specific CON laws between 1991 and 2019,…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
October 2, 2024
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HHS announces $75 million investment in rural healthcare

Editor's Note The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has announced nearly $75 million in funding to address critical challenges in rural health, including opioid treatment, maternal health care in the South, and supporting the financial stability of rural…

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By: Matt Danford
September 25, 2024
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Localized nurse shortages to persist amid nationwide surplus, analysis predicts

Editor's Note A new report by Mercer projects a national surplus of 30,000 nurses by 2028, but significant shortages will remain in some states and rural areas where healthcare access is already limited, according to a September 15 report in MedCity News.  For example, New York is projected to face…

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By: Matt Danford
September 20, 2024
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Nearly 1 in 3 US rural hospitals at risk of closure

Editor's Note More than 700 rural hospitals, representing 31% of all rural hospitals in the country, are at risk of closure, according to a report from the Center for Healthcare Quality & Payment Reform. Chief Healthcare Executive reported the news August 8. According to the article, 16% of all rural…

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By: Matt Danford
August 15, 2024
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2025 IPPS payment rule criticized

Editor's Note The American Hospital Association (AHA) criticized new inpatient prospective payment system rates issued August 1 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), citing the potential of financial struggles for hospitals and reduced access for patients, particularly in rural or underserved areas. Under the new rule, most…

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By: Matt Danford
August 6, 2024
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"Tweener" hospitals eye financial relief after Supreme Court ruling

Editor's Note The Supreme Court’s recent “Chevron” ruling could offer additional financial security to hundreds of so-called "tweener" rural hospitals—those too large to be considered critical access hospitals but too small to be rural referral centers. Modern Healthcare reported the news July 29. According to the article, critical access hospitals,…

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By: Matt Danford
August 1, 2024
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Rural hospitals shutter labor, delivery units

Editor's Note Rural hospitals throughout the country are struggling to maintain labor and delivery units amid dwindling numbers of births, KFF Health News reported July 15, noting that more than half lack these services entirely. Nationwide, annual births have fallen from 4.3 million in 1957 to below 3.7 million by…

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By: Matt Danford
July 25, 2024
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CMS releases proposed Medicare payment rates for outpatient, ASC services

Editor's Note On July 10, CMS proposed Medicare payment rates for hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgery center (ASC) services for 2025.  Published annually, the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and ASC Payment System Proposed Rule will have a 60-day comment period, which this year ends September 9 prior to…

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By: Matt Danford
July 10, 2024
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Rural hospitals contend with challenging opportunities

Rural hospitals in the US have been facing a prolonged, multifaceted crisis. The literature presents several reasons for why healthcare facilities in rural areas struggle, including shrinking budgets, rising chronic illness and public health issues like addiction and obesity, poor telehealth and broadband access, aging populations, deteriorating mental health, and…

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By: David C. Walsh
June 24, 2024
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Health systems focus on long-term growth, outpatient care amid construction challenges

Editor's Note Health systems are increasingly focusing on construction projects aimed at long-term growth and outpatient care, often renovating existing facilities, Modern Healthcare June 10 reports. According to Modern Healthcare's 2024 Construction and Design Survey, 60% of respondents see growth in the healthcare construction industry despite inflation, high material costs,…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
June 12, 2024
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