Good Shepherd Health System, based on Longview, Texas, will close Good Shepherd Medical Center Linden (Texas) by April 30, according to a Longview News-Journal report.
The health system will also shut down two health centers. Approximately 100 employees will lose their jobs, although they can apply for other Good Shepherd positions, according to the report.
Good Shepherd acquired the Linden facility, a critical access hospital, nine years ago. Officials said the hospital has racked up more than $12 million in operating losses during that timeframe. Ultimately, the system decided to shut down Good Shepherd Medical Center Linden due to those losses, which stemmed from cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, a pending loss to its critical access status and low patient utilization. The average daily patient census was fewer than five.
"Even with community support, investment in quality personnel and equipment, patient activity was not at a sustainable level," Good Shepherd President and CEO Steve Altmiller told the News-Journal. "This decision, while a very difficult one…has been made so that Good Shepherd Health System remains a viable and financially stable healthcare organization."
More Articles on Hospital Closures:
Lower Oconee Community Hospital Closes
Richmond Memorial Hospital to Close Labor & Delivery Unit
18 Hospitals That Closed in 2013