Rural hospitals and health centers face a myriad of challenges. The University of North Carolina's Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research in Chapel Hill compiled a list of rural hospital closures since 2005, including the 25 rural hospital closures since January 2020.

Becker's has reported on 17 health systems that have opted to outsource finance jobs or other revenue cycle functions since Jan. 1:

Dallas-based Steward Health Care extended their asset-based lending agreement through December 2023.

Maryville, Tenn.-based Blount Memorial Hospital has filed a lawsuit declaring independence from local government after weeks of fighting over the troubled hospital, local news station WBIR reported Dec. 21.

The cost of care increasingly outweighed concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic as the top reason patients defer healthcare, according to a study published by Qualtrics, an experience management company.

A number of health systems experienced downgrades to their financial ratings in recent weeks amid ongoing operating losses, declines in investment values and challenging work environments.

From leadership appointments at newly formed health systems to financial experts stepping into CEO positions and the end of some decades-long healthcare careers, here are 10 CFO moves that captured the attention of Becker's Hospital Review's readers this year:

Minneapolis.-based Allina Healthcare was downgraded one spot from "Aa3" to "A1" and its financial outlook was revised from "stable" to "negative," Moody's said Dec. 21.

Most health systems — whether religious, secular, for-profit or nonprofit — have a mission statement that outlines their ideology and goals. Defining a system's mission, vision and values can increase staff engagement, boost participation in hospital initiatives and provide a clear message to the community about the organization's direction.

Rashard Johnson is the CEO of three hospitals within Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare with more than $1 billion in fiscal responsibility, but his path first wound through Orlando-based University of Central Florida, where he played football on scholarship as a defensive back.

The San Mateo County (Calif.) Board of Supervisors has approved an agreement with RIP Medical Debt that will eliminate debt for 72,399 residents, Climate Magazine reported Dec. 20. 

Lawmakers rolled out a roughly $1.7 trillion year-end spending bill Dec. 20, with funds earmarked for health agencies and some new investments that intersect with the work of hospitals and health systems. 

Johnson City, Tenn.-based Ballad Health posted a $9.5 million loss for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 WJHL reported Dec. 20.

Here are three providers that chose Conifer Health Solutions for revenue cycle management services this year:

Consumer confidence rose to its highest level since April amid growing optimism over the U.S. economy and jobs.

Troubled Leadville, Colo.-based St. Vincent Health made payroll Dec. 9, but its financial future and that of its workers remains unclear.

Cando, N.D.-based Towner County Medical Center has completed a $58 million financing agreement that will go toward building a critical access hospital and nursing home.

Hollywood, Fla.-based Memorial Healthcare reported a net loss of approximately $104.7 million for the six months ended Oct. 31, including a $95.6 million loss in the last three months of that period. The numbers compare with a net gain of $50.9 million and $12.9 million for the same periods, respectively, in 2021.

U.S. health care spending increased 2.7 percent in 2021, reaching $4.3 trillion or $12,914 per person, according to CMS.

A majority of Americans say further price transparency fixes should be a "top priority" for Congress, a Kaiser Family Foundation poll found.