Miller M, Casey M
Health Economics Program, Minnesota Department of Health.
Minn Med. 1990 Jan;73(1):35-9.
A Minnesota Department of Health study on the financial condition of Minnesota's small, rural hospitals found that at least 12 hospitals were in precarious financial condition at the start of 1989, and many other hospitals were financially vulnerable. One-third or more of Minnesota's hospitals with fewer than 50 beds had negative net income in each year from 1984 to 1987. Using a standard of 30 minutes' maximum travel time for adequate access, the study revealed that about 19,000 Minnesotans in 14 counties currently have inadequate access to hospital services. Closing rural hospitals could leave additional Minnesotans without adequate access to hospital services. Given the financial condition of Minnesota's small, rural hospitals and the importance of maintaining access to hospital services in rural communities, the state may need to provide limited hospital subsidies to ensure access in geographically isolated areas.
明尼苏达州卫生部对该州农村小型医院财务状况的一项研究发现，1989年初至少有12家医院财务状况岌岌可危，许多其他医院在财务上也很脆弱。1984年至1987年期间，明尼苏达州三分之一或更多床位少于50张的医院每年净收入为负。该研究采用充足就医的最长出行时间为30分钟这一标准，结果显示，目前14个县约19000名明尼苏达人就医不便。关闭农村医院可能会使更多明尼苏达人无法获得充足的医院服务。鉴于明尼苏达州农村小型医院的财务状况以及在农村社区维持就医服务的重要性，该州可能需要提供有限的医院补贴，以确保在地理上偏远的地区也能获得医疗服务。
