“For 46 million Americans, rural hospitals are a lifeline, yet an increasing number of them are closing. The federal government is trying to resuscitate them with a new program that offers a huge infusion of cash to ease their financial strain. But it comes with a bewildering condition: They must end all inpatient care.” NYT (Gift Article): A Rural Hospital’s Excruciating Choice: $3.2 Million a Year or Inpatient Care?

+ In a country where health care is so remarkably expensive, why are so many hospitals on life support? To answer that question, let’s head to Delaware County Memorial Hospital in suburban Philadelphia. Thankfully, our visit is not an emergency, because their ER just shut down. CBS News: Pennsylvania hospital shutdown spurs questions about private equity in health care. (Maybe we need to spur fewer questions and spur more action instead…)