By the Numbers: Michigan’s Critical Access Hospitals
Michigan’s 37 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) provide rural communities with vital access to healthcare services and play an important role in rural economies, often serving as local communities’ largest employers. However, rural hospitals often face unique financial challenges that can threaten the care and services they provide. These challenges include rising costs, demographic shifts, and attracting and retaining talented medical professionals.
A new infographic from the MHA provides an at-a-glance definition of CAHs, in addition to providing information on the impact of Michigan CAHs on patients, communities and the economy. In 2017 (the most recent data available), Michigan’s CAHs conducted 2.4 million outpatient visits, treated 331,000 people in emergency departments and admitted 22,000 people for care and treatment. In addition, CAHs were responsible for providing more than 10,000 direct jobs in Michigan, which generated $645 million in wages, salaries and benefits.
