Ballad Health
Coverage of Ballad Health in the Nexus archive.
- Doctors Work to Address Access to Trauma Care for Rural Residents
Rural residents face a higher risk of death from trauma due to limited and delayed access to appropriate medical care. To address this, groups established regional networks that assessed and improved the trauma system. This collaboration involved consolidating Level 1 trauma centers while maintaining essential services at other facilities.
- ER visits by uninsured patients in Virginia hospitals spiked by 8% last year
Virginia hospitals reported an 8% increase in ER visits by uninsured patients last year, attributed to federal healthcare shifts and reduced primary care access. State lawmakers allocated funding for free clinics and a new subsidy to address ACA subsidy expirations, while 13 rural hospitals face closure risks due to Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement cuts and expired subsidies.
- ER visits by uninsured patients in Virginia hospitals spiked by 8% last year
Virginia hospitals reported an 8% increase in ER visits by uninsured patients last year, labeled as 'self-pay' cases. State lawmakers have allocated funds for free clinics and a healthcare subsidy to address gaps from expired ACA subsidies, while rural hospitals face closure risks due to federal policy changes and reimbursement cuts.
- State report finds 13 rural hospitals vulnerable to closure
A Virginia state report identifies 13 rural hospitals as vulnerable to closure due to financial strains linked to recent Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement cuts, a reconciliation bill causing health insurance loss for 33,000 residents, and expired Affordable Care Act credits. Residents and lawmakers express concerns over reduced emergency care access and potential long-term impacts on private insurance premiums.