Hospital Closures 2026: Regency & Bradford to Shut Down | Becker’s Hospital Review

The week of February 16th saw two hospitals announce plans to close or significantly alter their services, underscoring the financial strains impacting healthcare providers nationwide.

Hospital Closures Signal Broader Industry Challenges

Regency Hospital-Meridian in Mississippi, a 40-bed long-term acute care facility, has stopped accepting new patients and is scheduled to close on or before March 13th. The facility is part of Select Medical, which operates over 100 similar hospitals across the United States.

Did You Know? Select Medical operates more than 100 critical illness recovery hospitals in the U.S.

A spokesperson for Select Medical stated the closure is due to an operational business decision. Patients currently in Meridian, Mississippi, can continue care at Ochsner Specialty Hospital, also operated by Select Medical.

Pennsylvania Hospital to Transition to Outpatient Care

Bradford Regional Medical Center in Pennsylvania, part of Kaleida Health, announced on February 17th plans to end inpatient, emergency, and long-term care services by mid-2026. The hospital campus is slated to become an ambulatory, outpatient care center, pending approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

This transition is expected to affect 238 staff members, who will be given the opportunity to apply for other positions within Kaleida Health. Don Boyd, president and CEO of Kaleida Health, explained the decision is a response to “federal funding cuts and long-standing financial pressures across the healthcare industry.”

Expert Insight: The stated need to “reimagine how and where we provide care” suggests a broader trend of healthcare systems reassessing service delivery models in response to economic realities. This could involve shifting resources towards preventative care and outpatient services, while consolidating or eliminating less financially viable inpatient options.

These closures follow reports of 23 hospital and emergency department closures in 2025, and 25 closures in 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the timeline for the closure of Regency Hospital-Meridian?

Regency Hospital-Meridian is no longer accepting new admissions and plans to close on or before March 13th.

What changes are planned for Bradford Regional Medical Center?

Bradford Regional Medical Center plans to shutter inpatient, emergency, and long-term care services by mid-2026 and transition to an ambulatory, outpatient care model.

How many staff members will be affected by the changes at Bradford Regional Medical Center?

The closure and transition at Bradford Regional Medical Center will affect 238 staff members, who will be eligible to seek other positions within Kaleida Health.

As healthcare facilities navigate ongoing financial challenges, how might these changes impact access to care in affected communities?