Re inventing thinking focusing examining building

rural healthcare

More than 80 rural hospitals have shuttered since 2010 and hundreds more are in danger. Millions of patients are at risk of being without a community hospital and providers in metropolitan areas could see an influx of patients with significant, untreated conditions.

Reinventing a hospital

‘If we had to drive to Albuquerque or Las Vegas, she might not have lived’

The nation’s smallest independent non-critical-access hospital reinvented itself to stay relevant.

Rethinking partnerships

Health systems pitch in to protect rural providers

More than 40% of rural facilities are operating in the red and faced with critical decisions on how to survive.

Refocusing on the population

‘We have a big population to serve and we want to make sure they are all healthy’

The shift toward population health management puts additional financial pressures on struggling rural providers.

Reexamining policy

‘There ought to be options, other than just close or the status quo, to help them transform to best meet community needs’

Policy disagreements, resistance from rural providers and communities, and opposition to new spending could slow progress in addressing the rural healthcare crisis.

Rebuilding a community

‘The hospital was a force holding the community together. Without it, I think this community probably will disintegrate’

Rural Tennessee town feels the downstream effects of its sole community provider shutting its doors.