(Radio Iowa) – The federal Rural Emergency Hospital model was launched nearly two years ago to give hospitals increased federal financial support if they offer just outpatient care with an emergency room. Julia Harris is with the Bipartisan Policy Center says the feds need to get increased funding to the converted hospitals faster because many are on their last leg.  “Payroll hasn’t been met and being able to be paid for a month or so, and they’re waiting for that check. And these are really small operations. You know, a majority of the jobs could be held up in that one facility,” she says.

The Center recently released a report on the model’s progress. Harris says they recommend the feds revise the rules to allow hospitals to retain a small number of inpatient beds and cites an example.  “An elderly patient comes into the E-R and needs just to be kept under observation overnight…maybe just a day, or two, or three,” Harris says.

The report finds 32 hospitals in 14 states have converted to the Rural Emergency Hospital designation since it was implemented. None of the facilities are in Iowa.