BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Caprock Health System, a staple of Bryan-College Station's health care for the past decade, plans to close its Bryan hospital and College Station 24-hour emergency center on December 13, 2024. is. In a statement, CapRock executives cited financial and market factors as the main reasons for the closure.
“It is our privilege to provide the highest quality emergency and hospital care to our patients. A combination of economic and market factors has made it no longer possible for CapRock to continue operating,” the statement said. said.
They stressed that the decision was not a reflection on the quality of care provided by staff and thanked employees and patients for their trust. Today, they are the only 100% locally owned health system and are known for their patient-centered care and community involvement.
An internal memo shared with KBTX outlines plans for a severance package for staff and resources to support the transition. Patients are encouraged to visit CapRock's website to access their medical records and account information.
Community impact
The closure of CapRock Health System has raised concerns about health care access in the region. Elena Andreeva, an assistant professor and health economist at the Texas A&M School of Public Health, said that while Bryan-College Station is uniquely located in neither a completely rural nor urban area, it still faces challenges from provider closures. I explained that there was.
“Bryan-College Station sits between the challenges facing suburban Houston and the deep rural county,” Andreeva said. “Provider closures could have a bigger impact here than in metropolitan areas like Austin or Dallas.”
Overall impact of hospital closures
Dr. Andreeva pointed out that medical studies have mixed results on hospital closures. In rural areas, closures often increase mortality rates and worsen critical conditions such as heart attacks and strokes due to longer travel times. However, she noted that the impact will vary depending on the situation.
“Hospitals that close are often going through several stages financially,” she says. “Some studies suggest that these hospitals may already be providing poor quality care, which may soften the impact of closures.”
While CapRock's closure is significant, Andreeva emphasized that Bryan-College Station has additional medical capacity through St. Joseph Health and Baylor Scott & White.
“The impact remains to be seen, but it will likely be less severe here than in areas without alternative providers,” she added.
Broader statewide trends
The challenges facing CapRock Health System reflect growing trends in Texas and across the nation. According to the American Hospital Association, 136 rural hospitals closed across the country from 2010 to 2021, with 19 closing in 2020 alone. As of 2023, more than 600 rural hospitals are at risk of closing due to financial losses and declining patient volume.
Texas has the highest number of rural hospital closures in the nation, with 26 facilities closing since 2010, according to the Texas Rural and Regional Hospital Organization. This trend has reduced health care options in many areas, forcing residents to travel long distances and delay treatment. Financial challenges such as low Medicaid reimbursement rates and staff shortages are the main contributing factors.
Recent closures like St. Mark's Medical Center in La Grange highlight the ongoing impact. While policymakers are exploring solutions such as financial support and telemedicine, experts say more needs to be done to protect access to care in these vulnerable communities. There is.
“It costs a lot of money to run a hospital, and half of that cost comes from labor,” Andreeva says. “Many rural hospitals rely heavily on Medicare, and reimbursement rates are often inadequate.”
Andreeva suggested that while Medicare reimbursement policy is set by the federal government, Texas could work to ensure robust outpatient and preventive care options in areas where hospitals are closed.
“If Medicare reimbursement is the real reason rural hospitals are closing, it's not just a Texas problem, it's a national problem. “I think it's important to make sure the community has access to good preventive care and outpatient care, even if hospitals are forced to close due to lack of patient volume,” she said.
“By making sure that the region, the county, whatever it is, has enough primary care and outpatient care that we can at least help patients make sure that their chronic conditions are taken care of on a daily basis, “I think that's part of the potential solution to the health care delivery problem in rural areas. added.
I'm looking forward to it
Andreeva offered reassurance to the residents of Bryan-College Station.
“Again, Bryan in College Station is not a rural county in Texas, but we do have St. Joe's and other medical capabilities at Baylor, Scott & White. “What the impact will be is still unknown and probably won't be known until at least several months to a year from now,” Andreeva said. “But at this point, don't panic. Again, they were not the only health care provider in Bryan, College Station, nor were they the largest health care provider. So, the medical resource capacity. The impact will likely continue and not be as great as if we lost St. Joseph's University or Scott & White College at Baylor.
Official statement regarding the closure of Cap Rock Hospital and independent emergency center
“After 10 years of dedicated service to Bryan/College Station and the surrounding area, we are disappointed to announce that CapRock Health System will be closing its Bryan hospital and College Station 24-hour emergency center by December. 13, 2024.
It is our privilege to provide our patients with the highest quality emergency and inpatient care. Due to a combination of economic and market factors, it is no longer possible for CapRock to continue operating.
We are deeply grateful to all of our patients who have trusted us with their care. We especially want to thank our medical team members and business associates for their dedication to our organization and service to our communities.
Until further notice, patients can continue to obtain account information and medical records by following the instructions on the CapRock website (https://caprockhealthsystem.com/resources/ important-links/). ”
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