Fact Check: "The U.S. has lost over 100 rural hospitals in the last decade."
What We Know
The claim that the U.S. has lost over 100 rural hospitals in the last decade is supported by multiple sources. According to a study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, over 130 rural hospitals have closed since 2010, highlighting a significant trend in rural healthcare decline (Chatterjee, 2022). Additionally, a scoping review of studies indicates that between 1990 and 2020, a total of 334 rural hospitals closed, with closures outpacing new hospital openings since 2011 (Mullens et al., 2024). The Sheps Center also reports that there have been 153 closures and conversions of rural hospitals since 2010, with 88 of those being complete closures (Sheps Center).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust, with multiple reputable sources corroborating the number of rural hospital closures. The Journal of Hospital Medicine article provides a clear statistic of over 130 closures since 2010, which directly supports the claim (Chatterjee, 2022). The scoping review published in PubMed further emphasizes the ongoing crisis, noting that closures have been prevalent since the 1990s, with a notable increase in the last decade (Mullens et al., 2024).
The Sheps Center's data, which breaks down closures into complete and converted hospitals, also aligns with the claim, indicating that the trend of rural hospital closures is not only significant but also accelerating (Sheps Center). The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has also documented the impacts of these closures, noting that communities with closed hospitals experience decreased access to healthcare services (GAO).
The reliability of these sources is high; they are peer-reviewed studies and reports from established institutions. The Journal of Hospital Medicine and the GAO are recognized for their rigorous standards in research and reporting, while the Sheps Center is a reputable research organization focused on rural health.
Conclusion
The claim that "The U.S. has lost over 100 rural hospitals in the last decade" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that over 130 rural hospitals have indeed closed since 2010, reflecting a significant and ongoing crisis in rural healthcare access.
Sources
- Causes & Consequences of Rural Hospital Closures - PMC
- Rural Hospital Closures: A Scoping Review of Studies Published ... - PubMed
- 146 rural hospitals closed or stopped providing inpatient services from ...
- Rural Hospital Closures - Sheps Center
- Rural Hospital Closures: - U.S. Government Accountability Office (U.S. GAO)
