Hospitals across Georgia are pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into new patient towers, major renovation projects and state-of-the-art technologies—even as rising numbers of uninsured patients and falling reimbursements continue to pose financial pressures. n the wake of the Great Recession, hospitals put off major capital investments as people postponed elective surgeries, more uninsured patients besieged emergency departments and an uncertain future loomed with the roll out of the new health care law. The focus instead shifted to slashing costs. Hospitals cut hundreds of jobs, trimmed overtime hours and renegotiated contracts with suppliers. But pressure to meet growing demand as populations swell and America's 78 million baby boomers get older is spurring hospitals to push forward, experts say. It's the biggest balancing act hospitals have—dealing with current financial strains while positioning themselves for the future, said Kevin Bloye of the Georgia Hospital Association.
