KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WOKI / WVLT) – More than a third of Tennessee’s rural hospitals are now at risk of shutting down, raising concerns about access to emergency and specialty care for residents across the state.
According to a new report from Becker’s Healthcare, 19 rural hospitals in Tennessee are considered at risk of closure. The report found that 12 of those facilities face an immediate threat of closing their doors.
If closures occur, many residents in rural communities could face significantly longer travel times to receive emergency medical treatment, routine hospital care, or specialized services.
The challenges facing Tennessee mirror a growing national trend. Becker’s Healthcare reported that roughly one-third of rural hospitals nationwide are considered at risk, while approximately 40% are operating at a loss.
Healthcare experts say several factors have contributed to the financial strain, including the expiration of federal pandemic relief funding and reimbursement rates from private insurance companies that often fail to cover the full cost of care.
East Tennessee communities have already experienced the impact hospital closures can have on access to healthcare.
In Campbell County, Jellico Hospital has closed multiple times over the past decade, forcing residents to travel farther for emergency and inpatient services. For some patients, the nearest hospital has been about 45 minutes away when the facility was not operating.
State leaders are now working to prevent similar situations from unfolding elsewhere.
Tennessee is preparing to distribute a $207 million federal grant program designed to strengthen financially vulnerable hospitals and improve access to care in underserved communities.
Officials plan to prioritize investments in healthcare technology, infrastructure improvements and maternal health services. The state hopes to award the first round of funding before a key federal deadline in October.
Supporters of the grant program say the funding could help struggling hospitals modernize services, improve efficiency and remain viable in communities that often rely on a single healthcare provider.
For many rural residents, the future of their local hospital could determine how quickly they can access lifesaving medical care during emergencies.
