Arizona’s Tuscon Medical Center on Monday said it formed the Southern Arizona Hospital Alliance, linking with four rural hospitals in the region to bolster their businesses and keep them afloat.
The alliance will centralize certain services relating to purchasing and electronic health records and extend physician networks. Each facility will remain an independent, nonprofit hospital.
[Also: Hundreds of rural hospitals face closure]
The news comes as many hospitals form alliances and joint ventures to find ways to reduce costs as reimbursement levels fall. At the same time, rural hospitals are finding it harder to stay in business. More that 50 have already closed and reports suggest nearly 300 more are at risk of shuttering.
In addition to Tuscon Medical, Benson Hospital, Copper Queen Community Hospital, Mount Graham Regional Medical Center and the Northern Cochise Community Hospital comprise the alliance. They serve more than 70,000 people, according to the Arizona Daily Star.
“Through this Alliance, the Benson area will have expanded specialty physician coverage, thus eliminating long travel for many people to see a quality doctor,” said Rich Polheber, CEO of Benson Hospital, who was named chairman for the alliance.
On Monday, dozens of advocates for rural hospitals marched on Washington D.C. to raise awareness of the pressures these facilities face.
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