Lakeland Community Hospital, a 59-bed hospital in Haleyville, Ala., plans to close by the end of 2017.
Officials said the hospital is closing due to dwindling reimbursement. "Reduced reimbursement from the government as well as commercial insurers have taken a tremendous toll on rural hospitals across the nation," stated a press release from the hospital. "Lakeland Community Hospital has been greatly impacted and is on track to have reimbursements reduced by nearly $2 million dollars."
Hospital CEO Debbie Pace said officials explored "every viable option" before making the decision to close Lakeland Community Hospital, which is the only hospital in Winston County, according to The Cullman Times.
Approximately 87 employees will be affected by the closure. All employees will continue to receive pay and benefits until the hospital shuts down.
According to research from the North Carolina Rural Health Research Program, Lakeland Community Hospital will be the sixth rural hospital in Alabama to close since 2010.
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