Last year, North Texas hospitals provided more than $7 billion in uncompensated care, like charity care or bad medical debt. One health leaders said if federal lawmakers don't extend a subsidy that makes federal health insurance marketplace coverage more affordable, hospitals statewide could be responsible for more than $1 billion in additional uncompensated care — which could lead to a loss of services or closures.

A new petition launched by the Commerce Chamber of Commerce is calling on Hunt Regional Healthcare to reopen the city’s emergency room, which closed earlier this year alongside the ER in Quinlan.

Federal cuts and Texas’ refusal to expand Medicaid are squeezing rural hospitals, explaining why Commerce and Quinlan ERs closed as Royse City expands.

Hospital records released to KETR show fewer than 15% of visits to the Commerce and Quinlan ERs were low-acuity, clarifying how the facilities were used.

Hunt Regional CMO and former state senator Robert Deuell defended the closure of Commerce and Quinlan ERs in a Herald-Banner column, citing finances and non-paying patients. Texas still leads the nation in uninsured rates and rural hospital closures.

Hunt County ERs are closing. KETR investigates how the severe physician shortage and 3-week primary care wait times leave Commerce & Quinlan residents vulnerable.

With Hunt Regional set to close the Commerce and Quinlan ERs, residents face longer ambulance rides to Greenville — and potentially steep bills. Even fee relief programs often hinge on paperwork few can manage in the middle of a crisis.

Hunt Regional Healthcare will close its emergency departments in Commerce and Quinlan on Sept. 30, raising concerns for ETAMU students and local residents who will face longer trips for emergency care.

With federal Medicaid cuts looming, here’s what Hunt County residents should watch for at Hunt Regional—staffing, services, and signs of financial strain.