Two Illinois lawmakers are sponsoring a measure to support rural hospitals. Congressman Adam Kinzinger and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin sent a joint letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services urging action for vulnerable rural hospital facilities at risk of closure.

Designating these hospitals as a Critical Access Hospital, or CAH, would provide some relief and keep essential health services in rural communities. It would also help prevent the closures of rural hospitals that are facing financial hardship. Since 2010, there has been an alarming 108 rural hospital closures nationwide, with 11 closures already this year, according to Kinzinger’s office.

Additionally, approximately 46 percent of rural hospitals are currently operating at negative margins—heightening the financial risk for these hospitals and their communities.

The bipartisan letter further states, it is imperative the federal government starts to utilize existing models to stop and prevent a wave of rural hospital closures as lawmakers work to analyze and critique new solutions.

94.1 WGFA