Iowa lost 250+ health care facilities in 15 years

• Closures can contribute to higher costs and health problems, per CSI.

State of play: More than 600 health care facilities in the state closed between 2008 and last year, while fewer than 250 opened, according to the report, which uses state data.

• The net losses include elderly care, home health, hospice, mental health centers and rehabilitation centers.

Zoom in: Rural areas face some of the most substantial challenges, with less accessibility to timely and appropriate care.

• Closures or inadequate access force residents to travel longer distances for care or go without treatment.

Stunning stat: 71 of Iowa's counties do not have a practicing OB/GYN, per the report.

• Mothers in areas where birthing units have shut down are less likely to access prenatal care and more likely to deliver prematurely, per a recent study from the University of Iowa.

Read the report