The importance of supporting Georgia’s rural hospitals

Hospitals are the heart of Georgia’s rural economy, and now more than ever, they need our support. Despite their importance to the communities they serve, rural hospitals currently face significant challenges that threaten their existence. Financial constraints, difficulties in recruiting health care professionals and declining health in rural populations are among the most pressing issues. As a result, rural hospitals are struggling to cover operating costs while continuing to provide high-quality care.

Rural Health Disparities

Since 2010, Georgia ranks third in the nation for hospital closures – with nine rural hospitals having shut their doors. With over 2.2 million Georgians living outside of urban areas and 120 of Georgia’s 159 counties considered rural, it is critical that our rural hospitals have the support they need to provide lifesaving and preventive care, including comprehensive maternal health services such as prenatal care, obstetric care and postpartum support.

CareSource announces Rural Access Advancement Program to provide emergency funding to rural hospitals.

Due to limited access to health care and the need to travel longer distances to receive emergency or specialty care, rural Georgians are often at greater risk for experiencing poor health outcomes. According to the CDC, residents of rural areas are more likely than their urban counterparts to die from heart disease, cancer, stroke and injuries. They also tend to have higher rates of cigarette smoking, high blood pressure and obesity, be less likely to have health insurance and more likely to be experiencing poverty. For these reasons, the health and well-being of rural hospitals is critical to not only our rural communities’ success but the overall success of Georgia.

Economic Impact of Rural Hospital Closures

Rural hospital closures not only have a devastating effect on health outcomes, but economic outcomes as well. Rural hospitals are an integral part of their local economies and often one of the largest employers. In many rural areas, where job opportunities may be limited, hospitals are a reliable source of employment and income for residents. Not only do hospitals provide jobs, but their presence in the community attracts other businesses and professionals, contributing to the overall growth and sustainability of the area.

As a recognized national leader in providing managed care to underserved populations, CareSource has made it a priority to identify and fund solutions to keep hospitals open and maintain access to the full continuum of care across Georgia.

The CareSource Commitment

Earlier this year, CareSource announced a new program that provides emergency funding to rural hospitals in danger of closing their doors. The Rural Access Advancement Program (RAAP) invests $5 million in rural hospitals to ensure Georgians have access to quality care and to support the economic vitality of rural communities. RAAP will support rural hospitals in times of critical cash deficits that might otherwise lead to service limitations or closures.

Additionally, CareSource recently invested $20,000 into Evans Memorial’s outpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program to expand health services in Evans County and provide residents with greater access to resources to improve their quality of life and overall health. Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Georgia, accounting for more than 22,000 deaths a year—many of which are preventable and premature. Unfortunately, rural Georgians are disproportionately impacted. They are 1.6 times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease, with a death rate of 0.38% compared to 0.23% for non-rural Georgians. And the risk disproportionately impacts Black men and adults in rural areas, who have a 19% greater risk of developing heart failure. The investment in Evans Memorial will help improve cardiovascular health and provide additional preventive care and education to lower the prevalence of heart disease in rural communities.

These types of programs and investments are making a difference in rural Georgia, but we understand there is still more to do to address the challenges rural hospitals are facing to ensure all Georgians have access to the health care services they need and deserve. CareSource remains committed to Georgia’s rural communities and will continue to identify opportunities for further collaboration to support the health and well-being of Georgians.

CareSource is a nonprofit, nationally recognized managed care organization with over 2.3 million members and administers one of the largest Medicaid managed care plans in the U.S. As a mission-driven organization, CareSource is transforming health care with innovative programs that address the social determinants of health, health equity and access to care.

By Jason Bearden, market president, CareSource Georgia