A report from WILX-TV in Lansing, Mich., examines the plight of rural hospitals in the Wolverine State. It’s the latest in a string of recent mainstream media reports that put the plight of rural hospitals in front of the general public.
“Rural hospitals say their health care services are at risk if they can’t get adequate state and federal funding,” begins the station’s report.
Memorial Healthcare in Owosso, Mich.
Representatives from Hillsdale Hospital and Memorial Healthcare in Owosso are interviewed in the piece, saying they are watching closely as the Michigan Legislature negotiates the state’s budget for its upcoming fiscal year.
“Most rural hospitals operate on pretty thin margins or went negative during the COVID pandemic, as far as those margins are concerned, so it’s definitely something we have a tremendous focus on,” Memorial Healthcare Associate Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations Ben Frederick told the TV station.
Mr. Frederick added that Memorial Healthcare is reaching out to nonprofit partners and at-risk patients to address the situation. “We want to ensure as many people as possible have access to preventative care and a medical home,” he told WILX. “We just want to make sure we’re coming together as a community and identifying and making sure these individuals remain connected to their care and have the dignity of a medical home.”
With all that said, the station reports that “Hillsdale Hospital and Memorial Healthcare officials say they remain in a strong financial position for now.”
