The state of Mississippi’s population is among the lowest-income in the United States. The number of uninsured within the healthcare system is among the highest.
Financial problems and consequences caused by the corona pandemic are now threatening to close over half of the rural hospitals in the state.
Low-lying Mississippi represents the true soul of the American South, and the river of the same name that runs through the state is America’s traditional and economic lifeblood.
But Mississippi also suffers from many of the problems that plague rural America inland. Infrastructure is cut, unemployment and poverty polarize and leave many out.
Statistical information is worrying for the state with around three million inhabitants, reports the American news agency AP.
High death tolls
Infant mortality rates are among the highest among US states, as are prenatal deaths and maternal mortality.
About 60 percent of pregnant women lack their own health insurance and must rely on the public health insurance system Medicare at birth.
The socio-economic odds are pretty bad – and have consequential consequences that worsen the situation in a downward spiral
– This is a situation that is unsustainable from an economic point of view, that we could lose 54 percent of our hospitals (in rural areas) in the state – and this situation is even worse from a care perspective, says Daniel Edney who is responsible for health care issues in the state .
His warning was made before state senators, as the financial condition of many of Mississippi’s regional hospitals is threatened with imminent collapse.
The reason is a long-standing underfunding that is exacerbated by the fact that many patients are not insured. The consequences became acute during a costly corona pandemic. Personnel costs have also increased, while it is difficult to attract personnel.
In real terms, that means 38 hospitals would close, many of them immediately, Edney said. There are a total of 111 hospitals in the state, of which 71 are outside the larger cities.
See dangers with support
Mississippi’s political leadership, led by Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, has blocked proposals to raise the level of reimbursement through Medicare, which would provide hospitals with additional revenue. The reason is political, residents should not get used to receiving government assistance.
The political opposition through Senator Hob Bryan, Democrat, argues that underfunding at the state level threatens the entire health care system – and he reflects a partly new American view of government support that the White House stands for:
– This is the failure of market forces. We need someone in the state government who is responsible for what the health care system should look like today – and in ten years.