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Listen: COVID-19 Stresses Rural Hospitals Even Before They Have A Single Case

KHN Midwest correspondent Lauren Weber appeared on WOSU’s “All Sides with Ann Fisher” out of Columbus, Ohio, to talk about the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on rural hospitals. Weber recently reported on the financial implications for such hospitals even before they handle any COVID-19 cases.

Almost half of the nation’s rural hospitals already operated in the red on a good day. Rural hospital CEOs now warn that some soon may be unable to pay their workers because they’ve had to cancel elective procedures, therapy, tests and other visits that bring in most of their revenue. Despite the recent federal bailout, their doors may close when the community most needs them.

Click here to listen on WOSU’s website.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

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