[CLSTR]
API
< Back to all clusters
[HEALTH] · United States · 4 sources

started · updated

Pediatric intensive care units are declining across the United States

pediatric intensive care hospital bed shortages pediatric subspecialists healthcare access Medicaid

Hospital units dedicated to treating critically ill children are decreasing nationwide as facilities convert pediatric beds into services for adults or newborns to reduce costs. A recent analysis shows that pediatric inpatient units decreased by nearly 30% between 2008 and 2022, falling from 1,749 hospitals to 1,226. This trend has left approximately 75% of hospitals without any pediatric inpatient services.

In the past year, pediatric intensive care units have closed in Montana, Oregon, and Missouri, while overnight pediatric wings have shuttered in Illinois and California. This centralization of care in medical hubs forces families in rural areas to travel long distances for lifesaving treatment.

Several factors contribute to these closures, including low patient volumes for intensive care, a shortage of pediatric subspecialists, and lower reimbursement rates for treating children compared to adults. Additionally, hospitals face higher costs for specialized pediatric equipment. Experts warn that these gaps in care may widen due to potential cuts in federal Medicaid spending.

Entities

American Academy of Pediatrics · Community Medical Center · Elizabeth Mack · Montana · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Hospital beds for the nation's sickest kids are disappearing [offthepress.com]
Hospital Beds for the Nation’s Sickest Kids Are Disappearing [cobbcountycourier.com]
Hospital Beds for the Nation’s Sickest Kids Are Disappearing [www.gilmermirror.com]
Hospital Beds for the Nation’s Sickest Kids Are Disappearing [kffhealthnews.org]