More than 300 rural hospitals are at risk of immediate closure due to financial challenges, warns a new report from the Center for Healthcare Quality & Payment Reform.
The CAP is deeply concerned about financial pressures hitting hospitals and pathology practices. We are strongly advocating for sustainable payment policies to address these challenges.
Rural and underserved areas also face ongoing workforce shortages and resource limitations.
- We have consistently advocated for increased federal investment and support to help mitigate these challenges.
- For example, the CAP supports expanding the Conrad 30 waiver program, which enables international medical graduates trained in the US to remain here and practice in underserved communities.
Rural hospital fund: Congress recently allocated $50 billion over five years to assist rural hospitals.
Yes, but: More needs to be done to address the shortfalls communities face.
What’s next: The CAP will continue monitoring congressional action related to rural health and advocating for support from the physician community.