Ben Harder highlights new regional specialty rankings in the 2026-2027 Best Hospitals edition from U.S. News & World Report.
Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News, announced the release of the 2026-2027 edition of Best Hospitals. The annual study recognizes 505 Best Regional Hospitals across 49 states and Washington, D.C., based on performance-driven metrics such as risk-adjusted mortality rates and patient experience. This year's edition introduces regional specialty rankings in four key areas: Cancer, Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery, and Orthopedics and Rehabilitation. These rankings are designed to help patients identify high-quality care closer to home. Additionally, the report recognizes 73 Best Regional Hospitals for Community Access, highlighting facilities that serve underserved and vulnerable populations. The methodology relies on data from over 800 million patient care records to ensure American families can find high-quality care in their local communities.