The AHA is concerned that worsening economic conditions will put more rural facilities out of business and leave patients with fewer options for quality care close to home. Already, nearly 46 million people living in rural areas, or 14% of Americans, face a shortage of healthcare services, the hospital lobby said.
“The risk of increased closures has now returned as hospitals deal with the mounting financial challenges created by the pandemic, longstanding difficulties facing rural hospitals and new economic pressures, including rapidly increasing input costs,” the report said.