The Laurel Health System has been grinding away and providing solid health care in the Northern Tier for many years.
But effective, broad-based rural health care is a tough task in these times.
So the merger with Susquehanna Health, announced last week, is a solid move for the future of health care in the northern portion of the region.
It will give Laurel Health increased access to top medical specialists and expansion of services in local communities.
At the very least, the Susquehanna Health connection will bring resources and support to recruit physicians and expand services. Patients of Laurel Health will have improved accessed to many forms of health care.
Merging with other hospitals may not be the answer for all health care systems, but in the case of a rurally located entity such as Laurel Health, it improves efficiency, quality and future prospects.
This also increases the effective footprint for Susquehanna Health.
