Rural hospitals in US hit by pandemic

Perfect storm

Hospitals in small towns, like their counterparts in large US cities, rely heavily on moneymakers such as elective surgeries, physical therapy and laboratory tests, but according to the Chartis Center for Rural Health, based in Chicago, almost half of them still operate in the red.

Robin Rau, CEO of Miller County Hospital in Georgia, said: "This virus, and what it is causing for these hospitals, is the perfect storm that will close the hospitals at a time this country critically needs them."

Michael Purvis, CEO of Candler County Hospital in Metter, Georgia, said he is already seeing negative cash flow. The number of patients coming to his hospital for profitable outpatient procedures has dropped by half, as they have canceled their surgeries, MRI scans and physical therapy.

Julie Jones, CEO of Community Hospital-Fairfax in Missouri, said she has to pay about $5 each for N95 respirator masks that offer crucial protection for her front-line workers. The usual cost is 30 cents.

Angela Ammons, CEO of Clinch Memorial Hospital in Homerville, Georgia, said she has warned staff members that if hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes continue to go missing, she will watch the video footage and immediately fire anyone caught stealing supplies. She is so worried about running out of protective equipment, she is asking employees who have sewing machines to make cotton masks.

The National Rural Health Association, along with many rural hospital executives, is lobbying the federal government for immediate cash assistance, no-interest loans and Medicare reimbursement adjustments.

However, many rural hospital CEOs are concerned that assistance may come too late.