A recent infusion of federal funds is providing much-needed relief for rural hospitals already under financial pressure when the coronavirus crisis hit Colorado.
Though hospital administrators say the emergency funds will provide immediate support, there is uncertainty around how and when the funds can be used, specifically if they can be used to make up for the steep decrease in revenue –– nearly 70% in some cases –– spurred by the halting of elective surgeries throughout March and April. The state’s rural hospitals saw a 268% decrease in profit in March compared to last year, according to an analysis from the Colorado Hospital Association.
Read more in The Colorado Sun.