Rural Hospital Closures Affect The Whole Community, But There Are Ways To Slow The Trend
Rural Texans often face disadvantages when it comes to health care. Doctors are in short supply and hospitals are located far away from many residents. The Washington Post has reported that, until recently, one doctor in Van Horn served as the primary physician for people living within an 11,000 square mile region in West Texas. Health experts say something must be done because problems in the health care system have ripple effects throughout the community.
Dr. Jane Bolin is a professor of health policy and management, and deputy director of the Southwest Rural Health Research Center at Texas A&M University. She says some people have to drive for hours for even basic medial care. But it’s even more problematic when emergency care is far away.
“When there is no rural hospital close by, it, in turn, can lead to devastating effects on the entire community,” Bolin says. “It definitely has an impact at all levels, on community and regional life.”
Bolin recently co-wrote an article for The Conversation US, showing how a number of rural hospitals in Texas are “near collapse.” She says that happens when the hospitals don’t make enough money from patient bills to pay for what it costs to run the hospital.
Read more: https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/rural-hospital-closures-affect-the-whole-community-but-there-are-ways-to-slow-the-trend/
