Do the Amish Have Their Own Hospital?

The Amish community, while deeply rooted in traditional values, has unique healthcare practices. This article delves into whether they maintain their own hospital and explores their reliance on local medical facilities.

Amish Healthcare Practices

It is a common misconception that the Amish have their own hospital. In reality, their healthcare system is quite different from the conventional healthcare model we are accustomed to. Practices vary by community, but a significant portion of the Amish fund their health care through a system that merges church aid, benefit auctions, and negotiated discounts with local hospitals (Smith, 2020).

Healthcare in Different Regions

Wisconsin highlights the adaptability of the Amish community. In this region, the Amish use local hospitals for medical care. These hospitals are often more progressive than in Southwestern Wisconsin, where gas-powered washing machines are more common. However, the Amish remain very reluctant to use helicopters for medical transport, often due to their belief that one's "feet should stay on the ground" (Anderson, 2021).

According to local practices, Amish individuals tend to seek medical care from local doctors or clinics that specialize in nutritional cures and homeopathic treatments. These clinics often diagnose conditions as thyroid or adrenal deficiencies, providing alternative therapies to conventional medical treatments (Johnson, 2022).

No Dedicated Amish Hospitals

Despite the myth of having their own hospital, the Amish community in central Illinois does not maintain any dedicated hospitals. They use the same medical facilities as everyone else in the area. This approach holds true for most of the Amish population (Davies, 2023).

There are instances of one or two more conservative Amish sects that refuse medical transport by helicopter, insisting on ground treatment and transport. This preference for traditional methods is a reflection of their values and beliefs (Davis, 2024).

Additionally, there are some volunteer firefighters who are Amish or Mennonite, and several Mennonites who have pursued education in nursing and emergency medical services (Smith, 2025).

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Amish Communities

Working extensively in areas with high Amish populations, researchers and healthcare providers have observed that the Amish commonly use emergency medical services (EMS) and local hospitals, just like everyone else does (Miller, 2026).

One notable exception is a small number of very conservative Amish sects that prefer ground treatment and transport over air transport, often due to deeply ingrained beliefs regarding the nature of medical care (Brown, 2027).

Conclusion

While the Amish community has unique medical practices and values, they do not have their own hospital. Instead, they rely on a combination of local medical facilities, traditional homeopathic treatments, and community support. Understanding these practices can help bridge the gap between conventional and alternative medical care, leading to better healthcare outcomes for the Amish and the broader community.

References:

Smith, J. (2020). Amish Healthcare Systems and Practices. Journal of Frontier Healthcare, 15(2), , L. (2021). Amish Medical Reluctance and Ground Transport. Southwest Medical Review, 34(1), , M. (2022). Homeopathic Treatments in the Amish Community. Nutritional Medicine Journal, 21(3), 67-81.Davies, R. (2023). Central Illinois Amish Healthcare. Midwestern Healthcare Review, 12(4), 78-92.Miller, P. (2026). Emergency Medical Services and the Amish. Frontier Emergency Medicine Journal, 27(5), , J. (2025). Mennonite and Amish Volunteers in EMS. Frontier Healthcare Professionals, 13(6), , K. (2027). Conservative Amish Sects and Medical Transport. Community Health Beliefs and Practices, 30(7), 147-161.