MedPAC Finds Rural Hospitals Lack Specialty Care, Studies Closures

By Maya Goldman / March 5, 2021 at 4:42 PM
Updated Story Medicare Payment Advisory Commission staff found that rural beneficiaries have a harder time accessing specialty care than do urban beneficiaries, though the two groups reported similar satisfaction with overall care, and that a decline in inpatient admissions preceded rural hospital closures. The congressional Medicare advisers discussed these findings and a need to examine the impacts of hospital system affiliation and staffing shortages on rural care during their meeting Thursday (March 4). MedPAC staff told commissioners...


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