We should welcome the advances that are making hospitals less important
Hospitals aren't becoming obsolete, but their role is changing.  Hospitals were once a place where patients were kept for extended periods of time; now for reasons of cost, sanitation, improved surgical techniques, and patient preference they're increasingly places where patients go for medical treatment but unless they're on the verge of death (and thus may need further treatment in very short order) patients then return to the community.<p>More surgeries; less meals and laundry.  Rather than becoming obsolete, I'd say that hospitals are gaining an increased focus.