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

A Look at Rural Hospital Closures and Implications for Access to Care: Three Case Studies
Presents case studies of three rural hospital closures from 2015 in Kansas, Kentucky, and South Carolina. Explores impact of closures on access to care and the economy of local communities.
Author(s): Jane Wishner, Patricia Solleveld, Robin Rudowitz, Julia Paradise, Larisa Antonisse
Date: 07/2016
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Alabama General Hospital Closures Since 1980
County-level map showing general hospitals that closed and were not replaced within two years.
Date: 03/2016
Sponsoring organization: Alabama Rural Health Association
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Geographic Variation in Risk of Financial Distress among Rural Hospitals
Discusses the geographic variation in the number of rural hospitals predicted to be at high risk for closure in 2015 as assigned by the Financial Distress Index (FDI) model. The FDI model uses existing hospital financial performance, government reimbursement, and organizational and market characteristics to determine risk levels associated with financial distress.
Author(s): Brystana Kaufman, Regina Rutledge, George Pink, Mark Holmes
Date: 01/2016
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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The Economic Impact of Recent Hospital Closures on Rural Communities
Estimates the direct and secondary economic impacts of hospital closures on rural communities, focusing on labor (wages, salaries, benefits) and employment (jobs) income. Uses data collected from 16 hospitals representing 13 states that have closed since 2010, of which 9 were designated as Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Fred C Eilrich, Gerald A. Doeksen, Cheryl F. St. Clair
Date: 07/2015
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Rural Health Works
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A Comparison of Closed Rural Hospitals and Perceived Impact
Compares characteristics of rural hospitals that have closed or have converted to provide a mix of health services but no inpatient care. Measures perceived impact of rural hospital closures.
Author(s): Sharita R. Thomas, Brystana G. Kaufman, Randy K. Randolph, et al.
Date: 04/2015
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy, 2015
Annual review of Medicare payment policies, with recommendations to Congress. Discussions of rural aspects of Medicare payment policies are included throughout the report.
Date: 03/2015
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Implications for Beneficiary Travel Time if Financially-Vulnerable Critical Access Hospitals Close
Examines potential increases in beneficiary travel times and distances if financially-vulnerable Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) close. Analysis is based on a review of 93 CAHs identified as financially-vulnerable and likely to close if reimbursement methods or eligibility requirements change.
Author(s): Victoria A. Freeman, Randy K. Randolph, George Pink, Mark Holmes
Date: 12/2013
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Closures of Hospital-Based SNF Units: Insights from Interviews with Administrators, Discharge Planners and Referring Physicians
Reports on interviews with officials at fifteen acute care hospitals with Medicare skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in 1998, some of which were still open and some of which had closed. Addresses the reasons, and consequences, of hospitals' decisions to close SNF units. The study included hospitals in urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Korbin Liu, Emily Jones, Urban Institute
Date: 03/2007
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Trends in Rural Hospital Closure: 1990 - 2000
Focuses on the extent, characteristics, reasons for and impact of rural hospitals closures from 1990 through 2000. Includes rural hospital closure data by state.
Date: 05/2003
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Analysis of the Financial Conditions of Health Care Institutions in the Appalachian Region and their Economic Impacts
Describes the availability of healthcare services in Appalachia, the financial stability of Appalachian healthcare institutions, and the effect of hospital closures on Appalachian counties.
Author(s): Jeffrey Stensland, Curt Mueller, Janet Sutton
Date: 12/2002
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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