TOPEKA — After 10 years of operation, the Care Arc Health Clinic in Eureka will close its doors at the end of February. The clinic’s closure follows a trend of teetering rural health services in the state.
The Eureka center has offered dental, medical and behavioral health services to Greenwood and Woodson county residents since 2014. Providers announced the closing Jan. 24, citing financial challenges posed by decreasing rural populations and difficulty in recruiting workers.
“While we are saddened to close our Eureka location, we remain steadfast in our commitment to this mission and to serving the healthcare needs of our patients,” said Renee Hively, CEO of Care Arc.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who has been advocating for Medicaid expansion statewide, said Kansas needs to take the step before more rural communities like Eureka suffer.
Information from the governor’s office estimates that 58% of rural Kansas hospitals are at risk of closing, and 28% face an immediate risk of shutdown. Previous Kansas Reflector reporting documented 59 of the state’s rural hospitals are in jeopardy of closing. Twenty-eight are at immediate risk of failures, and 84 of the state’s 102 rural hospitals recorded financial losses on patient services in the most recent data available, according to The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. The organization also reported that 10 of Kansas’ rural hospitals have closed since 2005.
Medicaid expansion in Kansas could offer these hospitals a lifeline. Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government covers 90% of the extra cost of Medicaid services in exchange for expanding eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty rate. Under expansion, the state would unlock $682.4 million in annual federal funding.
Kelly pointed to the Eureka shutdown as one more reason for lawmakers to hold a speedy hearing on her endorsed Medicaid expansion bill. The bill was enrolled in both chambers earlier in the session but has yet to be heard. Republican legislative leadership remains staunchly opposed to expansion.
“How many more rural hospitals, health clinics, and emergency rooms must close before the Kansas Legislature takes Medicaid expansion seriously?” Kelly said in a statement. “I have proposed a commonsense bill to support our rural healthcare providers — at no additional cost to taxpayers — but legislative leaders have delayed even holding a debate on this proposal.”
