Rural hospitals continue to see a number of challenges as they try to stay afloat and serve their coverage areas.
The 2025 Rural Health State of the State as compiled by Chartis indicates close to 90 percent of the state’s rural hospitals run in the red — the second-highest percentage nationally behind Connecticut. Nearly 50 of those hospitals are at risk of closure.
Chief Executive Officer Cathy Pimple says there are several challenges that are relatively uniform for rural hospitals across the country.
Audio PlayerA local challenge, Pimple says, is competition — specifically Stormont Vail’s plan to end its Cotton O’Neil operations inside the Newman Medical Arts building and construct a new facility near Roads 180 and G. Regarding the recent strategic affiliation involving Newman Regional Health, LMH Health and University of Kansas Health System, Pimple says it will help in some ways.
Audio PlayerPimple says Newman Regional Health has been strengthening its financial position since COVID-19, and
February’s financial report continued a strong period for Newman Regional Health. The hospital reported net income at over $112,000, favorable to budget by over $170,000 and favorable to prior year by almost $800,000. Pimple says the hospital was at near-break-even last year after having an operating margin of -5.2 percent for 2023.
