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Slide Presentation from the AHRQ 2007 Annual Conference

Background: Payment Policy Changes for Small Rural Hospitals

Subsequent legislation and regulations made the program even more beneficial for rural hospitals with fewer than 26 acute care beds.
The number of critical access hospitals (CAHs) grew rapidly from 1997 through 2006.
Currently there are approximately 1288 CAHs.
Most have qualified through the "necessary provider" criterion.
Approximately two-thirds of CAHs are 16-34 road miles from the next nearest hospital, and about 15% are within 15 or fewer miles.