Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1530792
7 CFO / FINANCE 705 hospitals at risk of closure, state by state By Molly Gamble M ore than 700 rural U.S. hospitals are at risk of closure due to financial problems, with more than half of those hospitals at immediate risk of closure. e count comes from the latest analysis from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, which is based on CMS's October 2024 hospital financial information. e center's analysis reveals two distinct levels of vulnerability among rural healthcare facilities: risk of closure and immediate risk of closure. In the first category, nearly every state has hospitals at risk of closure, measured by financial reserves that can cover losses on patient services for only six to seven years. In over half the states, 25% or more of rural hospitals face this risk, with 10 states having a majority of their rural hospitals in jeopardy. e report also analyzes hospitals facing immediate threat of closure meaning financial reserves could offset losses on patient services for two to three years at most. Currently, 364 rural hospitals are at immediate risk of shutting down due to severe financial difficulties. Below is a state-by-state listing of the number of rural hospitals at risk of closure in the next six to seven years and at immediate risk of closure over the next two to three years. Alabama 27 hospitals at risk of closing (53%) 23 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (45%) Alaska 2 hospitals at risk of closing (12%) 1 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (6%) Arizona 2 hospitals at risk of closing (7%) 1 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (4%) Arkansas 25 hospitals at risk of closing (54%) 13 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (28%) California 23 hospitals at risk of closing (40%) 10 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (17%) Colorado 11 hospitals at risk of closing (26%) 6 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (14%) Connecticut 2 hospitals at risk of closing (67%) 1 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (33%) Delaware 0 hospitals at risk of closing 0 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years Florida 8 hospitals at risk of closing (36%) 5 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (23%) Georgia 22 hospitals at risk of closing (32%) 11 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (16%) Hawaii 8 hospitals at risk of closing (62%) 0 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years Idaho 7 hospitals at risk of closing (24%) 0 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years Illinois 10 hospitals at risk of closing (14%) 6 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (8%) Indiana 5 hospitals at risk of closing (9%) 4 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (7%) Iowa 28 hospitals at risk of closing (30%) 9 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (10%) Kansas 62 hospitals at risk of closing (63%) 32 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (33%) Kentucky 14 hospitals at risk of closing (20%) 6 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (8%) Louisiana 24 hospitals at risk of closing (44%) 12 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (22%) Maine 10 hospitals at risk of closing (40%) 6 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (24%) Maryland 0 hospitals at risk of closing 0 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years Massachusetts 2 hospitals at risk of closing (33%) 2 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (33%) Michigan 15 hospitals at risk of closing (23%) 7 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (11%) Minnesota 19 hospitals at risk of closing (20%) 7 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (7%) Mississippi 34 hospitals at risk of closing (52%) 25 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (38%) Missouri 22 hospitals at risk of closing (38%) 10 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (17%) Montana 14 hospitals at risk of closing (25%) 4 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (7%) Nebraska 4 hospitals at risk of closing (6%) 2 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (3%) Nevada 5 hospitals at risk of closing (36%) 3 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years (21%) New Hampshire 2 hospitals at risk of closing (12%) 0 at immediate risk of closing in next 2-3 years