Access To Obstetric, Behavioral Health, And Surgical Inpatient Services After Hospital Mergers In Rural Areas

• DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2021.00160
• Publication Date: 2021-10-04T20:06:29Z
• Authors: Rachel Mosher Henke; Kathryn R. Fingar; H. Joanna Jiang; Lan Liang; Teresa B. Gibson
• Keywords: Catchment area; Merge (version control)

Despite rural hospitals' central role in their communities, they are increasingly financial distress and may merge with other hospitals or health systems, potentially reducing service lines that less profitable duplicative of services the acquirer also offers. Using hospital discharge data from thirty-two Healthcare Cost Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases period 2007–18, we examined influence mergers on changes to inpatient at within catchment areas. We found merged were more likely than independent eliminate maternal/neonatal surgical care. Whereas number mental/substance use disorder–related stays decreased remained stable areas, it increased for unaffiliated indicating a potential unmet need communities postmerger. Although merger could salvage hospital's sustainability, reduce responsiveness community needs.