| HealthLeaders Media Finance - August 27, 2007 | Hospital Operating Pressures Mounting |
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Hospital Operating Pressures Mounting
Philip Betbeze, Senior Editor-Finance
Thanks to better operational controls and financial discipline--among other macroeconomic trends like low interest rates and relatively favorable Medicare reimbursement rates--hospitals are doing pretty well when measured against their historical business performance. But like a storm blowing up on the horizon, operating pressures are mounting on hospitals, says a report from Moody's Investors Service.
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August 27, 2007 | |
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Editor's Picks
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Retail clinics could be a valuable source partner
This story reports on the rapid growth of retail health clinics, which many in healthcare see as a threat. The American Medical Association, in fact, called for an "investigation" of the clinics at their most recent annual meeting in June. Where the AMA sees potential conflicts of interest between such clinics and the drugstore chains that own them, many experts say they could help relieve the burden on many hospitals' emergency departments, among other benefits. [Read More]
Medicare won't pay for hospital mistakes
As expected, Medicare will stop paying for so-called "never" events that happen to patients while they are under hospital care like infections, falls and objects left in surgical patients. Mark McClellan, then the head of CMS, said last year that refusing to pay for such things could save Medicare hundreds of millions of dollars a year from a total patient expenditure of about $408 billion. [Read More]
Rule on acquired infections could lead to more tests
While Medicare may save a relative pittance by refusing to pay for health problems that originate in the hospital, the law of unintended consequences may take precedence, says this blog entry from The Tennessean's health writer, Getahn Ward. [Read More]
THR wants to buy remaining interest in Texas hospital
Fallout from the merger between Triad Hospitals Inc. and Community Health Systems means Texas Health Resources wants to buy Triad's remaining 80 percent share in Denton's Presbyterian Hospital. [Read More] |
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Finance Forum
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Fluctuations Should Have Minor Impact on Healthcare M&A
Recent market instability has torpedoed some very large deals in other industries, but the wild gyrations in the financial markets should have minimal impact on healthcare mergers and acquisitions, says investment banker David Kauppi. [Read More] |
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Finance Headlines
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Washington, D.C. hospital sold for $31 million
Washington Post - August 27, 2007
Massachusetts hospital chiefs see modest pay gains
Boston Globe - August 27, 2007
County balks at Atlanta hospital's loan plan
Atlanta Journal-Constitution - August 27, 2007
SSM-St. Louis at impasse with UnitedHealth
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - August 27, 2007
Upcoming Events
HealthLeaders Media News - August 27, 2007 | |
| From HealthLeaders Magazine |
What All Great Hospitals Do
 Think you're headed for the top floor? Are you sure? [Read More]
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Money Talk
A look at one hospital's struggles to improve
 Via Christi Health System, Wichita, KS
Rating: A+
Outlook: Stable
Affected Debt: $256.8 million
Agency: Standard & Poor's
Remarks: Outlook revised from positive because of increased competition from specialty hospitals that have resulted in volume and market share declines.
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Audio Feature
No Experience Required: Jack Fleischer, a 29-year veteran of the cutthroat world of retail, is now responsible for procurement for New York Presbyterian Hospital. Fleischer, who came to New York Presbyterian in 2004, is one of many senior-level executives recently hired in healthcare with no history inside the business. | |
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