by Jim Kendrick, CHC President and CEO

Across the country, rural and community hospitals are facing financial pressure, workforce challenges, and policy uncertainty. In fact, more than 40% of rural hospitals are operating at a loss, putting many communities at risk of losing access to care.

Against that backdrop, the new development of Valencia County Hospital in Los Lunas, New Mexico, stands out. While not easily replicated, the project shows what’s possible when the right pieces come together.

The hospital, opening in the fall of 2026, is a culmination of more than 20 years of planning efforts. For the more than 80,000 residents of Valencia County, it’s straightforward: access to hospital care closer to home. For years, patients had to travel to Albuquerque for emergency and inpatient services.

Read the full Becker’s Hospital Review article, April 21, 2026.