North Carolina has lost 12 rural hospitals since 2005, Medicaid cuts could worsen the trend
Since 2005, North Carolina lost 12 rural hospitals. Three hospitals closed in 2017. The most recent closure was the 43-bed Martin General Hospital in 2023.
According to a study from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a map and sortable list of the 87 hospitals that have completely closed since 2010 and the 65 that no longer provide inpatient services, but continue to provide some services.
Since 2005, North Carolina lost 12 rural hospitals since 2005. Three hospitals closed in 2017. The most recent closure was the 43-bed Martin General Hospital in 2023.
Recently, the Eastern North Carolina county has been working on a plan to reopen the shuttered hospital, according to North Carolina Health News.
Martin County had a population of 22,000 at the 2020 census and residents have been forced to travel more than 20 miles to neighboring Beaufort County.
More on possible Medicaid cuts and the impact on rural hospitals at Stateline.
-- Down Ballot
