The vital entry hospital designation — which turned 25 this 12 months — has supported greater than 49 rural hospitals in Montana, together with three that reopened due to the designation, Montana Hospital Affiliation President and CEO Wealthy Rasmussen mentioned in an opinion piece on the American Hospital Affiliation web site.
Mr. Rasmussen mentioned the vital entry hospital designation has diminished the monetary vulnerability of rural hospitals and improved high quality, whereas additionally enhancing entry to healthcare by defending important providers for rural communities. He mentioned it additionally helps native economies, pointing to the truth that native hospitals are the most important employer for many of Montana’s frontier cities.
He spotlighted Medicare’s rural hospital flexibility program that’s included within the vital entry hospital program. The Montana Hospital Affiliation manages the state’s program with the state. On this position, the affiliation has established operational assist to stabilize rural hospital funds and combine emergency medical providers into current well being techniques. Mr. Rasmussen mentioned this work has allowed his organizations to construct a staff of subject material specialists to help taking part hospitals with high quality enchancment, information assortment and reporting to satisfy federal and state necessities.