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The Crisis of Rural Hospital Closures

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Located near U.S. Route 66 in eastern New Mexico, a 10-bed hospital has long been a crucial source of emergency care for car crash and ranching accident victims. Additionally, it has served as a convenient option for overnight stays, primarily for older residents dealing with pneumonia or heart ailments. Covering a vast area of 3,000 square miles (about twice the area of Rhode Island), home to over 4,500 people, this hospital stands as the sole medical facility in the region. However, despite a tax levy in place to support it, the hospital has suffered a financial loss of over $1 million in the last six months. Christina Campos, administrator of Guadalupe County Hospital in Santa Rosa, expressed their anticipation of closure while hoping for a sustainable program to intervene. 

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