The Legislative Assembly finds that Oregon rural hospitals are an integral part of the communities and geographic area where they are located. Their impact on the economic well-being and health status of the citizens is vast. The problems faced by rural hospitals include a general decline in rural economies, the age of the rural populations, older physical plants, lack of physicians and other health care providers and a poor financial outlook. The Legislative Assembly recognizes that the loss of essential hospital services is imminent in many communities. [1987 c.918 §1]