A new series of policy briefs coauthored by National Rural Health Association member George Pink examines the geographic variability in profitability of urban and rural hospitals; rural hospitals with long-term unprofitability; profitability of urban and rural hospitals by Medicare payment classification; and the broader context of rural hospitals and profitability. Another policy brief coauthored by NRHA members Xi Zhu and Keith Mueller looks at rural hospital participation in Medicare accountable care organizations, summarizing national and regional rates of rural hospital participation and identifying factors associated with ACO participation. Finally, new research coauthored by NRHA member Mark Holmes examines patterns of hospital bypass and inpatient care seeking by rural residents, as hospital bypass, or the tendency of local rural residents to not seek care at their closest hospital, is thought to be a contributing factor for rural hospital closure.
