One of Hospital Council’s priority issues at the beginning of this year remains a priority as 2024 draws to a close: rural health. The third Thursday of November (Nov. 21) marks National Rural Health Day, which is all about celebrating and highlighting the efforts of rural hospitals and addressing rural health care needs. This observance reminds us how vital rural health is for all of California, not just rural areas.
California has roughly five dozen rural hospitals, including 37 critical access hospitals — rural hospitals serving communities at least 35 miles from another medical facility. Rural hospitals are often the primary health care providers in California’s rural areas, serving as essential community anchors for health and wellness. When a rural hospital closes, patients have no choice but to travel farther for care. The closure of Madera Community Hospital, for instance, continues to cause significant challenges for the patients it used to serve — and its upcoming reopening will provide much-needed relief to a community that’s been without nearby care for nearly two years.
As we saw during our recent annual conference, hosted in conjunction with the Hospital Quality Institute, rural hospitals are early adopters of technology — they are using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance patient safety and telemedicine to connect patients with specialists, providing quality care without requiring travel. Rural hospitals work to bridge health disparities in underserved areas, particularly in communities with higher rates of chronic illness and lower socioeconomic status. In future messages, Hospital Council will address additional applications of AI in health care.
Although National Rural Health Day honors rural hospitals, it’s also essential to address these hospitals’ needs: Many rural hospitals need more staffing and funding, which can threaten their ability to provide sustainable care and maintain facility improvements. Strengthening California hospitals’ finances was a priority this year and will continue to be a priority in 2025. Hospital Council remains committed to ensuring Californians have access to reliable health care.