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Trempealeau County officials warn rural hospitals face unsustainable finances, urge state attention
Summary
Health and county officials said two local hospitals rely heavily on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements and that closures in the region underscore risks to county healthcare access and local economies.
Trempealeau County officials and Health and Human Services staff told state lawmakers that local hospitals operate with thin margins and that state budget choices could affect their viability.
Tim Robertson and Jay Hein discussed hospital finances; Hein said two general hospitals serve the county and that a large share of revenue comes from Medicare and Medicaid.
"We have two general hospitals in Trempeale County. Both are doing okay, but for our area in particular, there's negative operating levels. And, 47% of the revenue comes from Medicare patients and 14% from Medicaid," Jay Hein said.
Speakers referenced recent hospital closures in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls as examples of what can happen when rural hospitals become financially unsustainable. County leaders said closures have led to layoffs and out-migration and urged legislators to consider policies that stabilize rural hospital funding.
Presenters tied hospital staffing and retention to other county priorities, such as childcare and workforce availability. The delegation encouraged lawmakers to consider investments that help hospitals remain open, but did not request a specific statutory change during the briefing.
Officials said they would provide additional materials and offered tours to show infrastructure investments the county has made in the justice and health space.
