08/08/25: New research from the University of Minnesota shows rural hospital closures led to higher prices at nearby hospitals.  

School of Public Health assistant professor Caitlin Carroll says after a rural hospital closed, prices at nearby surviving hospitals went up almost 3.6%, an average of about $500 per inpatient stay. Carroll says the study also found rural hospitals that eventually closed charged 6% less than nearby hospitals, so closures forced patients into high-priced facilities. 

Joel Heitkamp is joined by Dr. Carroll to talk about it, and takes some of your calls.

(Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)

08/08/25: <a href="https://kfgo.com/2025/07/22/study-finds-rural-hospital-closures-led-to-higher-prices-at-nearby-hospitals/">New research from the University of Minnesota shows rural hospital closures led to higher prices at nearby hospitals.&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>
School of Public Health assistant professor Caitlin Carroll says after a rural hospital closed, prices at nearby surviving hospitals went up almost 3.6%, an average of about $500 per inpatient stay. Carroll says the study also found rural hospitals that eventually closed charged 6% less than nearby hospitals, so closures forced patients into high-priced facilities.&nbsp;
Joel Heitkamp is joined by Dr. Carroll to talk about it, and takes some of your calls.
(Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, &ldquo;News &amp; Views,&rdquo; can be heard weekdays from 8 &ndash; 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)

News & Views with Joel Heitkamp is a multi-award winning program where Joel Heitkamp brings his common sense approach to the issues of the day. From politics to public service announcements and sports to government spending, there is a place in the conversation for everyone.

News & Views with Joel Heitkamp

News & Views with Joel Heitkamp is a multi-award winning program on KFGO in Fargo, North Dakota where Joel Heitkamp brings his common sense approach to the issues of the day in the upper Midwest region. From politics to public service announcements to sports to government spending, there is a place in the conversation for everyone.