Rising medical costs squeeze independent hospitals (PA)

While the growth of UPMC and the struggles of West Penn Allegheny Health System have been well-reported, community hospitals are somewhere in between. Many are running on razor-thin margins, eking out small profits on their operations. Several reported losses on operations last year. Pittsburgh-area hospitals face increasing financial pressure that could in coming years force mergers, buyouts by larger systems or closings, experts say. Five area hospitals or small health systems lost money on operations in the fiscal year that ended June 30.