Rural Hospitals: Federal Efforts Should Target Areas Where Closures Would Threaten Access to Care
Abstract
Between 1980 and 1988, there were 200 rural hospital closures-about half of the total community hospital closures in the United States. Because of widespread congressional concern that rural hospital closures may jeopardize access to medical care, 33 Senators requested that GAO investigate why such hospitals are closing and what impact the closures have on rural communities. They also asked that GAO assess Medicare's role in closures and the impact of closures on Medicare costs. This report identifies hospital and environmental characteristics associated with financial distress and a high risk of closure; assesses the impact of rural hospital closures on access to care, health care costs, and local economies; and reviews public policy initiatives that assist rural hospitals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA270544
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office