Geary Community Hospital officials have released a statement saying that the hospital is feeling notable pressures within the healthcare industry. Dwindling insurance reimbursements, shrinking revenues, increasing uncollectible debt from uninsured patient,s the significant buildup of local military medical services, and the recent no-vote in Topeka to Medicaid Expansion have all compounded the challenges at the hospital over the past three years. Not only is GCH experiencing those dynamics, but so are hospitals and clinics national as they are required to further cut costs and strive to improve quality outcomes.

GCH Administrator Joe Stratton said, “We have a viable health system for people in the Flint Hills region, Geary County and Junction City. Still we need to work with a clearer focus to better meet the numerous and ongoing challenges of healthcare to maintain and grow our local medical services.”

Stratton noted that an operational assessment under way provides more tools to make necessary modifications within their operations. He added, “GCH is a major economic anchor in Geary County and its’ stability is important to all area businesses and surrounding communities.”

Stratton went on to note a new strategy is soon to be put in place. This past February GCH engaged Community Hospital Corporation, a professional healthca5e firm working with rural hospitals across the country, to assist in a system wide operational assessment study. GCH will continue to work with Community Hospital Corporation this year by implementing ways to enhance revenue, better control costs, increase methods for tracking system wide productivity, and allow quicker and easier access for patients to all clinic providers.