9 Rural Hospitals At Risk of Closing, 2 in North MS

JACKSON, Miss. (AP)-A new study has identifies nine rural Mississippi hospitals that are at-risk of closing down. Two are in the Golden Triangle Area.

Hospitals in Covington, Holmes, Tippah, Attala, Adams, Noxubee, Tallahatchie, Pearl River and Copiah counties were identified as running the risk of closure.

Researchers say their findings are based on the hospitals’ profitability, uncompensated care and Medicaid shortfalls.

According to the study, reasons for the hospitals’ struggles include the national recession that hit in 2008, population loss in rural areas, and lack of capital.

The study offers a list of recommendations, including the creation of freestanding emergency departments and the integration of existing services.

The study, “The Economic Impact of Potential Closures of Rural Hospitals in Mississippi,” was conducted by university academics, health care, and policy professionals.