U.S. News and World Report ranks two Chicago hospitals among the best

Two of the nation's best hospitals are in Chicago, according to U.S. News and World Report.

The big picture: The annual list evaluates thousands of hospitals nationwide based on patient outcome, patient experience in both specialty and general care, staffing and technology, and expertise of board-certified specialists.

Driving the news: The list released Tuesday includes Northwestern Medicine and Rush University Medical Center on the "Honor Roll" of 20 of the best hospitals in the country.

• The hospitals tied for best in the state.

Zoom in: Northwestern ranked in the top 20 for specialties including cancer care, endocrinology and obstetrics/gynecology.

• Rush's specialties that fall in the top 20 include neurology, geriatrics and orthopedics.
• Both Rush and Northwestern are teaching hospitals.

Yes, but: The hospitals ranked lower than others on the list for providing care to patients considered low-income, and for proportionately serving the area's non-white populace.

The intrigue: The report includes Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago and Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana as the best in the state for providing equitable access to care .

• They excel in the same areas as others on the best hospital list and serve a large share of patients on Medicaid and from socio-economically disinvested areas, while lacking the same resources as other care centers.