Small & Rural Backgrounder

Illinois’ 85 small and rural hospitals provide essential, lifesaving healthcare to over 1.6 million rural Illinois residents. Yet these hospitals face significant challenges, as over 41% operate on negative or thin margins.

2024 SR Backgrounder

Backgrounder

Nearly 40% of Illinois hospitals are small and rural hospitals that provide care that's close to home for over 1.6 million residents. A growing number of these hospitals face significant operating pressures, yet continue serve communities in many ways, including providing over $21 billion in economic activity annually. See IHA’s Small and Rural Backgrounder to learn more, including the innovative ways small and rural hospitals are addressing behavioral health in communities.  


Advancing Rural Health

85

Small and Rural Hospitals
38%

Of All Illinois Hospitals
$21B

Annual Economic Impact