The Price of Hospital Closures

New research from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health reveals the consequences of rural hospital closures beyond lack of access. When a rural hospital closes, there is an immediate and direct lack of access for the people in affected communities. Then, closures cause a chain reaction of higher prices in surrounding communities; nearby hospitals see a 3.6% increase in commercial prices in the years following a closure. These prices are even higher at hospitals in large healthcare systems or operating in less competitive markets. Widespread hospital closures and the resulting high prices make life-saving care less accessible to our nation’s most vulnerable communities. Our Health Equity advocates for accessible and affordable healthcare for all Americans, no matter where they live. Read more here.