Opinion: Rural hospitals are hollowed out and caught in a cycle of failure

Small towns and rural counties in Tennessee have their unique stories to tell, but there are some commonalities that are plaguing many of the state’s non-urban communities. These include high rates of chronic disease, the opioid crisis, lack of access to good paying jobs, and health care disparities. One issue stands out: the continuing closure of community hospitals across the state, deepening the health chasm between rural residents and city dwellers.