Rural hospitals are more than healthcare providers—they are pillars of their communities. They serve as key employers (generally one of the top three employers within the community), lifelines during emergencies, and providers of essential medical care. However, the ongoing wave of rural hospital closures threatens to dismantle these lifelines, leaving vulnerable populations without access to critical health services. From January 2005 to May 2024, a staggering 219 rural hospitals in the United States closed or converted to facilities without inpatient services. Understanding and addressing the causes of these closures is a matter of urgent concern.

Rural hospitals across the nation are facing mounting challenges—rising costs, limited resources, and increasing demands for quality care. In response, organizations like Rough Rider and Headwaters have come together to form clinically integrated networks (CIN) designed to strengthen rural healthcare systems through collaboration and shared resources. This model, which aligns with national trends, leverages collective expertise to expand care access, reduce administrative burdens, and align with evolving payer models.