When a rural hospital closes, it’s not just healthcare that’s lost – the entire community’s future is at risk.
Why it matters
Rural hospitals like Ashley Regional Medical Center in Vernal serve as critical anchors for their communities, providing essential care and economic stability.
What they’re saying
“If a rural hospital actually closes, it not only just closes the hospital, but it would impact the community in a more tremendous way and perhaps even make a community not to exist in the long term,” says Alan Olive, CEO of Ashley Regional Medical Center.
The big picture
Rural hospitals do more than provide medical care:
- They create jobs and economic stability
- They attract and retain physicians and healthcare workers
- They make it possible for families to live, grow, and thrive close to home
The bottom line
Supporting rural healthcare means supporting the future of rural Utah communities. “We really have to support rural health care, not only here in Utah, but across the nation, so that people can really have a wonderful place to live and thrive in these beautiful places we call home,” Olive says.