Four hospitals have announced closure plans since Aug. 1, citing reasons ranging from financial challenges to declining admissions and aging infrastructure:
Vancouver, Wash.-based PeaceHealth is taking initial steps to close its Eugene (Ore.) University District hospital as the health system shifts operations to its RiverBend campus. PeaceHealth reportedly sent an email to caregivers and providers revealing it wants to temporarily relocate 27 beds from Eugene to the Springfield, Ore.-based RiverBend in early 2024 to expedite the hospital closure. PeaceHealth described the Eugene location as "underutilized."
South City Hospital, a 178-bed facility in St. Louis, plans to close because of financial challenges, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Aug. 3. The 154-year-old hospital has been under receivership for the past few months. It began winding down the facility Aug. 4.
Martin General Hospital, a 49-bed facility in Williamston, N.C., suspended operations Aug. 3 and plans to file for bankruptcy. The hospital, which lost $13 million in 2022, cited financial challenges related to declining population and utilization trends as reasons for the decision.
Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Corewell Health will close its Lakeview, Mich.-based Spectrum Health Kelsey Hospital in October after a steady decline in admissions. In June, Corewell opened a $12 million care center a few minutes away from Spectrum Health Kelsey. The hospital opened in 1962 and was having problems with aging infrastructure.