critical access hospitals

Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) are small, rural hospitals that provide essential healthcare services to their communities. They typically have no more than 25 inpatient beds and offer emergency care, outpatient services, and basic primary care. CAHs receive special support from the government, including funding and reimbursement incentives, to help them stay operational despite their limited size and resources. This arrangement ensures that rural residents have access to vital hospital services close to home, maintaining health care availability in underserved areas.