Did anyone catch the “60 Minutes” report Sunday about rural healthcare? That industry, in the most isolated and economically depressed parts of Texas, is on life support. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller also oversees the state’s Office of Rural Health. Miller said of the 163 rural hospitals
Did anyone catch the “60 Minutes” report Sunday about rural healthcare? That industry, in the most isolated and economically depressed parts of Texas, is on life support.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller also oversees the state’s Office of Rural Health. Miller said of the 163 rural hospitals in Texas, 60 have less than 30 days’ cash on hand.
When rural hospitals close, emergency care gets farther away. Texas lost 21 rural hospitals in the past decade.
And because of the poor response to this virus, costs are rising. Basic medical masks that used to cost rural hospitals about six cents each now cost $1.20 each.
Other aspects of rural healthcare problems point to lots of people “in the gap” — they make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but can’t afford market health insurance. Hospitals can’t survive on providing charity care and as populations age, they need more care.
Our Hill Country Memorial writes off about $20 million in charity care annually. Its main income source was elective surgeries, which were put on hold.
We can give to the “Greatest Need” campaign to help keep our local facility healthy and functioning without a drop in services. Frosty Rees’ letter (see following page) explains why this community hospital is heads and tails above the rest, yet it is not immune to the financial challenges of this era.
Let’s keep our healthcare institution strong by giving what we can. We don’t want to be in the same situation as those in so many other parts of rural Texas. — K.E.C.
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