While dozens of rural hospitals in New York face possible shutdowns, Clifton-Fine Hospital in Star Lake is thriving, thanks to a rare federal designation, according to the New York Connect Team.
The tiny Adirondack facility became a Rural Emergency Hospital in 2025, swapping inpatient care for emergency and outpatient services. That shift secured over $3 million in annual federal funding.
Only two hospitals in New York hold the REH status, which may be a lifeline as others struggle with Medicaid cuts.
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