Financial Decision Making

Large employers are spending more, particularly on prescription drugs, according to the Business Group on Health. Companies are spending more on cancer care and GLP-1 drugs.

Nonprofit health systems saw modest gains over the past year, but most systems are barely breaking even, according to Fitch Ratings. Pending Medicaid cuts look to pose more challenges.

Some health systems are faring better financially so far this year, but performance varies widely. Hospitals are facing higher supply costs, including rising drug prices.

Federal officials are giving more scrutiny to the financial arrangements between hospitals and health systems and their employed and contracted physicians.

By using data-driven tools to manage internal float pools and local per diem staff, healthcare systems are improving retention, reducing costs, and achieving better outcomes.

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology is hearing reports of layoffs in those programs. Leaders of the association and the Leapfrog Group warn about risks to patients.

A new study released by the American Hospital Association looks at the cost in lost work and investments in security measures. But the toll on staff morale and patients could be even more significant.

Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, the president of the American Nurses Association, talks with us about the problems facing nurses and the lack of progress in addressing them.

Better decisions await the organizations who have complete and accurate claims data. It’s difficult to close a care gap when you don’t know the gap exists in the first place.

Even organizations with limited staff and resources can take steps to generate less waste and reduce their impact on the environment.

Healthcare is complex and essential, yet unforeseen injury or illness can easily overwhelm a family both emotionally and financially.

The company reported solid earnings in the first quarter, but like many hospital systems, HCA is anxious to get a better sense of federal policies and their impact.

Prospect Medical Holdings is shutting down Crozer Health and its two hospitals in the Philadelphia suburbs. Staff fear the impact on residents needing care.

Other providers in the Philadelphia suburbs are planning for an influx of patients seeking emergency care and looking to deliver their babies.

The Pacific Northwest health system began an initiative to encourage clinicians to choose less costly treatment options. Dr. Arun Mathews talks about the effort and its success.

With questions about federal spending and economic headwinds, healthcare leaders are grappling with more unknowns, adding complexity to long-term planning.

President Trump has paused tariff hikes on most countries, but they remain in effect on China, which produces key medical supplies hospitals use every day.

Major reductions in Medicaid could weaken revenues and potentially change the outlook for the sector, Fitch Ratings says. Hospitals have urged Congress and President Trump to preserve funding.

In a crisis, when healthcare organizations face shortages or even stoppages, staffing agencies play an important role.

The Joint Commission recently issued an alert urging health systems to develop detailed plans. Elizabeth Mort and Kevin Zacharyasz of the Joint Commission talk with us about the ways hospitals should prepare.

Analysts from Fitch Ratings see reasons for optimism in the coming year. But they also don’t expect margins to return to pre-pandemic levels.

By helping providers, plans can optimize the functions that support risk adjustment while also building trust and fostering collaboration that support holistic care.

Most hospitals say they have had to reduce capacity due to a lack of staff, a new Kaufman Hall report finds. Shortages figure to be a long-term issue.

Hospital volumes have rebounded, but health systems continue to pay more for labor costs. Fitch’s downgrades have outnumbered upgrades 3-to-1.

Margins remain below historical levels, but more hospitals and systems are reporting better earnings.