Eight Hospitals Selected for First Cohort of Rural Hospital Stabilization Program

Eight hospitals have been selected to participate in the first cohort of the Rural Hospital Stabilization Program, a new federal initiative designed to provide in-depth technical assistance to rural hospitals, helping them develop or enhance health care services that meet community needs and keep care close to home. 

The program, which is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy and administered by the National Rural Health Resource Center (The Center), will provide hospitals with assessments of financial and operational performance, recommend options for filling identified care gaps and guide them as they grow targeted services. 

A combination of education and coaching from a Center-led team of experts, along with funding to support tools and innovation towards service line growth, will allow hospitals to bolster patient volume, better align services with the needs of the community and improve cash flow.

The selected hospitals include:

• Beaver County Memorial Hospital, a 24-bed critical access hospital in Beaver, Oklahoma
• Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Coffeyville, Kansas
• Delta Health, a 49-bed hospital in Delta, Colorado
• Freestone Medical Center, a 37-bed hospital in Fairfield, Texas
• Jefferson Hospital, a 37-bed hospital in Louisville, Georgia 
• Klickitat Valley Health, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Goldendale, Washington
• Pike County Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Louisiana, Missouri
• W.J. Mangold Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Lockney, Texas

The goal of the program — which is expected to take hospitals 18-24 months to complete — is to strengthen rural health care delivery nationwide by improving hospital financial stability.

“We’re excited to welcome these eight hospitals into the first cohort of the new Rural Hospital Stabilization Program and to partner with them as they work to strengthen health care access in their communities,” said Tom Schumacher, the program’s director. “At its core, the Rural Hospital Stabilization Program is all about helping strengthen hospitals so they can keep caring for the communities that rely on them. When hospitals are financially stable, they’re better equipped to expand services, attract and retain staff, and respond to local health needs. We’re proud to support these hospitals as they build a more secure foundation — not just for their own future, but for the health and well-being of the communities they serve.”

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided financial support for this Rural Hospital Stabilization Pilot Project. The award provided 100% of total costs and totaled $3,930,405. The contents are those of the author. They may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.