A sign of tough times for home care is two Texas hospitals that are closing their home care programs.
Franklin, Tenn.-based hospital chain Com-munity Health Systems Inc. is shuttering Big Bend Home Health in Alpine, according to press reports. The agency is affiliated with Big Bend Regional Medical Center.
In Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto General Hos-pital is closing its home care and hospice unit, the Mineral Wells Index reports. Services will cease Dec. 31.
The hospital board cited increased competition and reduced reimbursement as reasons the hospital is closing the 25-year-old program, according to the newspaper.