Barbara Long always looks forward to weekly meetings with her cancer support group in Fort Worth.
Long, who has Stage 4 breast cancer, has been meeting with other survivors through Cancer Support Community North Texas – Tarrant County since 2018. The support group helped her through a difficult transition, she said.
Long was recently “devastated” to learn the nonprofit is closing its doors in Fort Worth in January 2025 because of budget cuts from Texas Health Resources, which funds 55% of the organization.
“It’s a lifeline that helps give you hope,” she said. “When you have cancer, it’s a series of losses. Now, going through this, the closure is one more loss.”
Long isn’t alone in her shock. Several Tarrant County residents have shared their frustrations and disappointment over local health care centers closing their doors.
Since March, five facilities have announced closures in Tarrant County: LifeCare Hospital of Fort Worth, Hope Center for Autism, Mission Central, Walmart Health, and now, Cancer Support Community North Texas – Tarrant County.
The closures paint a larger picture of the challenges affecting the health care industry, according to Austin Barrett and Ethan Garner with Healthcare & Life Sciences Brokerage at JLL.
‘Very difficult position’
Cancer Support Community North Texas focuses on providing education, support programs, resources and referrals to cancer patients, survivors and their families at its Dallas, Fort Worth and Plano locations, which are housed inside Texas Health hospitals.
In 2022, Cancer Support Community North Texas’ revenue was $1,050,125, with expenses of $1,252,475. The organization lost $202,350 that year. The organization relied on Texas Health’s funding to operate its locations, pay portions of its rent and cover staff and program costs.
“We acknowledge and are grateful for THR’s generous support in helping us meet the critical cancer support needs of patients in our community. Unfortunately, the speed and magnitude of the funding cuts have put us in a very difficult position,” Dave Ashworth, board chair with Cancer Support Community North Texas, said in a statement.
Texas Health told the Fort Worth Report the health system has fully honored its agreement with Cancer Support Community and will continue to fund the organization through the end of the year.
“Over the last two years, we have transparently discussed the reduction of monetary support with the Cancer Support Community leadership, and it is not indicative of our support for the organization or the families they serve,” a spokesperson with Texas Health said in a statement. “We continue to provide patients and their families with a variety of support, navigation, and educational opportunities to help them throughout their treatment.”
To reduce costs, the organization will close its Tarrant and Collin county locations by the end of the year. The Dallas location will be the only remaining center, but it will most likely move to another facility.
A large reduction in services at the Tarrant County location will start in July, but some in-person support groups and virtual services will continue through the end of the year.
“We know the need is great, but given this new funding gap, right now we’re focused on transforming ourselves to ensure we not only serve our current cancer patients and their families but the thousands more who need us,” Mirchelle Louis, CEO of Cancer Support Community North Texas, said in a statement.
Challenges facing health care
Cancer Support Community North Texas’ financial strain is a challenge other Tarrant County health facilities have faced. Insufficient funding remains an underlying, unresolved problem, said Garner, who serves as managing director and region lead with Healthcare & Life Sciences Brokerage at JLL.
“Inflationary pressures and tighter spending further exacerbate the situation, making it increasingly difficult to address these systemic issues,” he said.
LifeCare, Hope Center for Autism and Mission Central also cited financial hardship as the key factor in their closures.
Dr. Jeff Beeson, interim executive vice president for health systems at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, previously told the Report the reimbursement model in the U.S. is an issue for care providers.
“What the insurance is going to pay is often less than what it costs to provide that care,” he said. “If you’re only providing primary care and not other services, like labs, you’re a breakeven to a losing business model.”
Medicare paid 82 cents for every dollar spent by hospitals and health systems on patient care in 2022, which resulted in $99.2 billion in Medicare underpayments, according to data collected by the American Hospital Association.
Another challenge facing health care facilities is the ongoing need for more full-time physicians and other health personnel, said Barrett, who serves as senior vice president with Healthcare & Life Sciences Brokerage at JLL.
“There’s a nationwide shortage of health care providers, and these closures, especially in rural areas, highlight the struggle to bring in specialized care providers due to the already narrow pool of talent,” he said. “Simply put: Opening clinics without adequate staffing renders them ineffective in delivering care.”
How can health systems ensure stability?
As health care systems navigate challenges, viability requires business models that prioritize operational efficiency and proper staffing aligned with existing payment structures, said Garner.
“Sustainable strategies that prioritize preventive care and early intervention can help mitigate acute conditions, ultimately reducing the strain on the health care system,” he said. “However, addressing these complex challenges requires a multifaceted approach and collaboration across various stakeholders within the health care industry.”
Long hopes health systems and leaders collaborate, so closures don’t continue to happen and disrupt access to care.
“I know the economy is not what it used to be,” she said. “Many corporations are struggling. I hope some generous company or individuals can step up and help support, not only for myself but for the many others who are going through a difficult health journey.”
David Moreno is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports on X.
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