Rural Health
News by Topic: Closures of healthcare facilities and services
Oct 23, 2025 - Highlights a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in rural Minnesota successfully offering labor and delivery services in spite of nationwide department closures. Describes the challenges with offering this service in rural communities and factors contributing to this CAH's success including participating in a network and cross-training staff. Includes a state map of maternity care deserts at the county level.
Source: MPR News
Oct 16, 2025 - Discusses the goals of a new nonprofit foundation tasked with providing direct funding for rural Alabama hospitals to help keep emergency departments open, modernize facilities, recruit and retain workforce, expand access, and integrate with the community. Discusses a recent trend toward facility closures in the state and other policy measures attempting to reverse the trend.
Source: Tuscaloosa Thread
Oct 15, 2025 - Highlights 2 new healthcare clinics opening in rural Texas. Discusses the increase in healthcare access the clinics provide and the trend toward rural facility closures across the state.
Source: KWTX
Oct 6, 2025 - Discusses the benefits and downsides for hospitals considering converting to a Rural Emergency Hospital, highlighting the choices made by rural hospitals around Arkansas. Discusses reimbursement rates, labor and delivery service access, and general healthcare access.
Source: Arkansas Advocate
Oct 3, 2025 - Announces that a New York hospital is converting to a Rural Emergency Hospital. Outlines the benefits of converting and the impact on access to healthcare for the area.
Source: The Post-Journal
Sep 19, 2025 - Announces a new network of rural hospitals in Wisconsin, allowing the participating hospitals to control costs and collaborate to improve patient care. Notes recent closures of rural hospitals in the state, mirroring a national trend.
Source: Chief Healthcare Executive
Sep 17, 2025 - Highlights maternal healthcare access challenges in rural Ohio including patient volume and facility closures. Discusses potential solutions including telehealth and mobile clinics.
Source: The Post