Illinois Budget Impasse Hurts Local Critical Access Hospital

Illinois Budget Impasse Hurts Local Critical Access Hospital

As the state of Illinois wraps up its second year without a budget, small hospitals are feeling the strain.  Franklin Hospital in Benton, Illinois, says they’re now owed more than $2 million in unpaid Medicaid and state employee health insurance. The 16-bed critical access hospital serves the area with 24-hour emergency room service, but treats 25,000 patients in rural health clinics annually. The hospital has had to reduce some staff hours and make cuts where it can, but it’ll need to see some state funding soon.