Story perspectives

Nebraska Dialysis Unit Closes, Medicare Cuts Force 200-Mile Trips

5/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Chadron Hospital in Chadron, Nebraska closed its dialysis unit in March 2026 after losing $1 million annually because Medicare reimbursement fell short.
Patient Mark Pieper now drives a 200-mile round trip to Scottsbluff for dialysis.
Jim and Carol Wright, renters near Rapid City, travel over nine hours for treatment.
Nephrologist Mark Unruh blames staffing and funding gaps and urges home-dialysis expansion, noting rural rates were 18 % in 2023 versus 14 % urban.

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Story summary

Chadron Hospital in Chadron, Nebraska closed its dialysis unit in March 2026 after losing $1 million annually because Medicare reimbursement fell short.
Patient Mark Pieper now drives a 200-mile round trip to Scottsbluff for dialysis.
Jim and Carol Wright, renters near Rapid City, travel over nine hours for treatment.
Nephrologist Mark Unruh blames staffing and funding gaps and urges home-dialysis expansion, noting rural rates were 18 % in 2023 versus 14 % urban.