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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Closures of healthcare facilities and services

State Variability in Access to Hospital-Based Obstetric Services in Rural U.S. Counties
Policy brief examining differences in availability of obstetric services in rural counties of all states, 2004-2014. Features statistics with breakdowns by all rural counties, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Katy Kozhimannil, Michelle Casey, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 04/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Closure of Hospital Obstetric Services Disproportionately Affects Less-Populated Rural Counties
Policy brief describing a study examining obstetric unit and hospital closures in rural areas of the United States, 2004-2014. Features statistics with breakdowns by all rural counties, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Katy Kozhimannil, Carrie Henning-Smith, Michelle Casey
Date: 04/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Issues Confronting Rural Pharmacies after a Decade of Medicare Part D
Discusses the major challenges facing rural independent pharmacies, focusing on delayed maximum allowable cost (MAC) adjustments, and direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees. Other challenges include competition from mail order pharmacies, being a non-preferred pharmacy, and orderly succession planning. Also examines the implications for rural communities when independent pharmacies close.
Author(s): Abiodun Salako, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 04/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Rural Hospital Environmental Impact Study
Examines the rapidly changing healthcare landscape, particularly as it relates to rural Texas, by focusing on four areas: the state of healthcare, rural hospital closures and vulnerabilities, the impact of the Affordable Care Act, and uninsurance rates. Presents information about the current and future state of healthcare in rural Texas to support rural health policymakers.
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals
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Tennessee Hospital Association 2017 Rural Impact Report
Describes hospitals' economic impact on rural Tennessee communities and the effect of hospital closures. Includes county-level statistics on ER visits, births, cost of bad debt and charity care, number of employees, salaries, and total economic impact.
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Hospital Association
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What's Next? Practical Suggestions for Rural Communities Facing a Hospital Closure
Presents alternative healthcare solutions for rural Texas communities that are facing a rural hospital closure. Examines the current state of healthcare delivery and outlines the regulatory and legislative obstacles to maintaining rural hospital services. Appendices provide additional information including maps of rural Texas hospital closures, a list of useful resources, reflections from rural hospital leaders, and more.
Date: 2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: A&M Rural and Community Health Institute, Episcopal Health Foundation
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State Office of Rural Health Roadmap for Working with Vulnerable Hospitals
Toolkit designed to assist State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs) when working with vulnerable hospitals and communities. Outlines the types of technical assistance (TA) that SORHs may provide before and after hospital closures and includes resources to help SORHs facilitate that assistance. Provides a self-assessment to help SORHs determine their capacity and select the appropriate levels of TA, as well as sample Critical Access Hospital needs assessments and benchmarking reports.
Date: 10/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Trends in Risk of Financial Distress among Rural Hospitals
Illustrates the proportion of rural hospitals, including Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), at high risk of financial distress by Census region and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) payment type for the 2013-2016 period.
Author(s): Brystana G. Kaufman, Randy Randolph, George H. Pink, Mark Holmes
Date: 10/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Why Are Obstetric Units in Rural Hospitals Closing Their Doors?
Examines factors associated with obstetric unit closure based on a mixed methods study of rural hospitals in 9 states between 2010 and 2014. Addresses hospital characteristics such as accreditation, ownership, and Critical Access Hospital status; distance to next closest hospital with obstetric services; and county-level characteristics including health workforce supply.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Katy B. Kozhimannil, Michelle M. Casey, Ira S. Moscovice
Citation: Health Services Research, 51(4), 1546-1560
Date: 08/2016
Type: Document
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APNP Hospitalists: Sustainability of Rural Hospitals
Video of a meeting at Rusk County Memorial Hospital in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Includes discussion on how Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber Hospitalists can help to sustain rural hospitals as a solution to workforce challenges. Hosted by Charisse Oland, CEO, Rusk County Memorial Hospital. Length: 3:41:21
Date: 07/2016
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
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