Arkansas news organization Talk Business & Politics reports that Little Rock-based Baptist Health plans to “end hospital operations” at 492-bed Baptist Health-Fort Smith with the exception of “emergency room and possibly limited surgery services.” Additionally, it reports that “some or all” of the hospital’s existing physician agreements “may” expire June 29, according to a Baptist Health official.
The outlet writes that the move is due to “significant financial losses and facilities too expensive to modernize.” It reports that Doug Weeks, Baptist’s executive vice president and chief strategy and innovation officer, told a civic club last week that the hospital faces a “poor payor mix” due to its high volume of underinsured and uninsured patients. It additionally reports that, according to Mr. Weeks, the hospital would eventually use only “the newer ‘Renaissance’ part of the building that includes emergency room and surgery center operations.”
Talk Business & Politics reports that, according to sources at Mr. Weeks’ presentation, Baptist’s western division, which is largely centered around its operations in the Fort Smith area, lost approximately $25 million in 2025 and has lost approximately $7 million so far this year.
Read Talk Business & Politics comprehensive full report on the situation here.
