Answer:
D. Critical Access hospitals are located in rural areas and are subject to certain distance requirements. These hospitals must be at least 35 miles away from another hospital to ensure that there is adequate geographic coverage for healthcare services in underserved areas. Critical Access hospitals play a crucial role in providing essential healthcare services to rural communities, offering a range of basic and emergency services to meet the needs of the local population. These hospitals often have fewer than 25 beds and provide 24/7 emergency care, limited inpatient services, and outpatient care. In addition to meeting the distance requirement, Critical Access hospitals must also meet other criteria, such as maintaining a maximum length of stay for patients and providing certain essential services.