Impact of Rural Hospital Closures on Survival Among Medicare Beneficiaries Diagnosed With Colorectal, Lung, Breast, and Prostate Cancer

Key Points

• The aim is to evaluate the survival outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with various cancers following rural hospital closures.
• Analyzed survival rates of Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with colorectal, lung, breast, and prostate cancers post-closure of rural hospitals.
• Compared survival outcomes between different cancer types and hospital closure statuses.
• Patients with colorectal and lung cancer experience worse survival outcomes after rural hospital closures.
• No significant survival impact observed for breast or prostate cancer patients in relation to rural hospital closures.