LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Boulder City Hospital will lay off approximately 70 employees and end several services, including stays longer than 24 hours, as it transitions from a critical access hospital to a rural emergency hospital, the facility’s CEO confirmed to FOX5.
On Friday, the hospital notified around 70 employees their positions would be terminated in 60 days.
CEO cites financial pressures
CEO Thomas Maher said the restructuring is driven by financial conditions facing the hospital as a small, independent facility.
“I am sorry for the disruption in the lives of our employees, but it is a necessary evil,” Maher said.
“We are disrupting a lot of lives and recognize that. But the financial future of the hospital kind of outweighs that situation, unfortunately,” he said.
Maher cited funding changes in the Big, Beautiful Bill as a significant factor.
“Well, I prefer to call it HR1 because it wasn’t big and beautiful for a lot of hospitals,” Maher said. “That bill cut Medicaid significantly.”
Transition to rural emergency hospital
The hospital will officially convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital designation effective May 1. The hospital posted the following statement on its website:
“This transition is not about reducing care — it’s about preserving care. Converting to a Rural Emergency Hospital ensures that our community continues to have reliable emergency services today and into the future.”
Under the new designation, patient stays cannot exceed 24 hours, ending some surgical and psychiatric services. Maher said most patients will not be impacted.
Financial incentives tied to new designation
The Rural Emergency Hospital designation comes with financial incentives. Medicare payments for outpatient services will include a 5% bonus.
“It also provides a subsidy of about $3.54 million a year in equal monthly installments of $295,000,” Maher said.
Long-term care unit to remain
There is an exception to the 24-hour stay rule. The hospital’s long-term care unit, which houses approximately 35 residents for custodial care, will continue operating. The skilled nursing rehabilitation program will also be moved into that unit.
FOX5 reached out to the City of Boulder City for a statement on the changes. A response had not been received at the time of this report.
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