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TILDEN, Neb. (AP) — A northeast Nebraska town may stop providing hospital services this summer because the Tilden Community Hospital has been losing money.
The Norfolk Daily News reports (http://bit.ly/1lENtfx ) that Tilden may convert the town's hospital to an outpatient clinic, close the emergency room and stop providing inpatient care.
So Tilden's roughly 950 residents would have to drive 22 miles east to Norfolk when they need inpatient care.
Tilden hospital administrator Lon Knievel said he recommended the change to the City Council because he thinks it's the best option. The city owns the hospital.
"My recommendation to them was not made lightly, and it is something I have wrestled with for several months now," he said.
Officials said the hospital doesn't treat enough patients to support the cost of maintaining inpatient services. In the past year, the Tilden hospital has been consistently losing money every month with the biggest monthly loss hitting $60,000.
Tilden residents received a letter last week explaining the proposed change, and officials held a public meeting Friday to answer questions.
The Tilden City Council is scheduled to discuss the proposal on Tuesday.
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Information from: Norfolk Daily News, http://www.norfolkdailynews.com
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