Fact Check: "77% of patients at rural hospitals are government-funded or uninsured."
What We Know
The claim that "77% of patients at rural hospitals are government-funded or uninsured" suggests a significant reliance on government programs or a lack of insurance among patients in rural healthcare settings. According to a study published by the University of North Carolina, rural residents tend to have lower incomes and are more likely to be publicly insured or uninsured compared to their urban counterparts (Keesee et al., 2023). The study indicates that rural hospitals experience higher levels of uncompensated care, which includes services provided to uninsured patients that are not reimbursed (Keesee et al., 2023).
Additionally, a report from the HHS ASPE notes that Medicare and Medicaid together accounted for about two-thirds (67%) of all hospital discharges in 2023, which implies a substantial portion of patients in rural hospitals are indeed covered by government programs (Turrini, 2024). However, the specific figure of 77% is not directly corroborated by the available data.
Analysis
The claim appears to be partially true based on the available evidence. The study from the University of North Carolina indicates that rural hospitals have a higher percentage of uncompensated care compared to urban hospitals, particularly in states that did not expand Medicaid (Keesee et al., 2023). This suggests that a significant number of patients may be uninsured or underinsured, contributing to the financial strain on rural hospitals.
However, the exact figure of 77% is not explicitly stated in the sources reviewed. The HHS ASPE report indicates that while a large portion of discharges are covered by government programs, it does not provide a specific percentage of patients who are uninsured or solely reliant on government funding (Turrini, 2024).
Moreover, the reliability of the sources is generally high, as they are published by reputable institutions and peer-reviewed studies. However, the lack of direct evidence supporting the 77% figure means that while the claim aligns with the general trends observed in rural healthcare, it may be an overstatement.
Conclusion
Verdict: Partially True
The claim that "77% of patients at rural hospitals are government-funded or uninsured" is partially true. While there is substantial evidence indicating that a significant portion of rural hospital patients are either uninsured or reliant on government programs, the specific figure of 77% is not directly supported by the available data. The context provided by the studies suggests a high level of government funding and uninsured patients, but without precise corroboration of the 77% statistic.
