By Mackenna Moralez, Associate Editor

A new study by the Center for Healthcare Quality & Payment Reform found that 642 rural hospitals are currently at risk of being closed due to financial distress. That number makes up approximately 30 percent of all rural hospitals in the country. Meanwhile, over 200 hospitals are at immediate risk of closure. 

According to the report, the hospitals are facing losses on patient services as health insurance plans will not pay the cost of delivery. It is expected that the costs will also increase due to the current state of inflation and labor shortages. Despite many rural hospitals receiving grants or local tax revenues, profits from these activities have yet to offset the loss of patient services.  

In every state there are hospitals at risk of closing. These include: 

• Texas – 81 hospitals 
• Kansas – 56 hospitals 
• Oklahoma – 38 hospitals 
• Mississippi – 27 hospitals 
• Alabama – 27 hospitals 
• New York – 27 hospitals 
• Arkansas – 22 hospitals 
• Iowa – 22 hospitals 
• Tennessee – 20 hospitals 
• Georgia – 20 hospitals 
• Missouri – 19 hospitals 
• Louisiana – 18 hospitals 
• California – 17 hospitals 
• Montana - 15 hospitals 
• Michigan – 14 hospitals 
• Kentucky – 14 hospitals 
• Minnesota – 13 hospitals 
• Washington – 13 hospitals 
• Pennsylvania – 12 hospitals 
• Illinois – 12 hospitals 
• South Carolina – 11 hospitals 
• North Dakota – 11 hospitals 
• North Carolina – 10 hospitals 
• West Virginia – 9 hospitals 
• Virginia – 9 hospitals 
• New Mexico – 9 hospitals 
• Maine – 8 hospitals 
• South Dakota – 8 hospitals 
• Hawaii – 8 hospitals 
• Indiana – 7 hospitals 
• Vermont – 7 hospitals 
• Colorado – 7 hospitals 
• Florida – 6 hospitals 
• Wisconsin – 6 hospitals 
• Wyoming – 6 hospitals 
• Ohio – 5 hospitals 
• Alaska – 5 hospitals 
• Oregon – 4 hospitals 
• Idaho – 3 hospitals 
• Nebraska – 3 hospitals 
• New Hampshire – 3 hospitals 
• Arizona – 2 hospitals 
• Connecticut – 2 hospitals 
• Massachusetts – 2 hospitals 
• Utah – 2 hospitals. 

Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor for the facilities market.