An empty dining room at St. Marks Medical Center in La Grange on Wednesday. This was the hospitals last day of service before its scheduled closing on Oct. 12., The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
An emergency meeting was called on Wednesday afternoon, but the hospital board decided to continue with the closure as planned. Board president Dudley Piland said there were too many unanswered questions and insufficient time to analyze the finances of Progressive Health Group. First: Registered Nurse Stacie Schramek files paperwork on the last day of service at St. Mark’s Medical Center. Last: Medical equipment is stored inside the pre-operative holding area.Nationally, more than 120 hospitals have closed during the same time frame. Rural hospitals are especially at risk because patient volumes are low, the uninsured population is relatively high and reimbursement rates are inadequate.
St. Mark’s is one of four Texas hospitals that have received the designation since the program launched in January.