As community members continue to grapple with the closure of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital, many are wondering how this could happen. Declining reimbursements are among the impacts on a hospital’s bottom line.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services' requests for $13.4 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds for four hospitals in Blytheville, Mena, Osceola and Warren, and requests for $11.6 million in state restricted reserve funds for three projects sailed through the Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday.
As the financial challenges mount, some patients say they have struggled to access care, with doctors blaming the system's financial problems as the cause.
Leaders at Lee Health are weighing the pros and cons of switching from a public, nonprofit health system to a private nonprofit health system. Right now, Lee Health is assessing its options.