Editor's Note Hospitals’ financial outlook is stable, although growth is slowing and certain costs are projected to increase, particularly for cybersecurity, according to two recent Becker’s reports on data from Moody’s Investor Services. The first, published November 14 in Becker’s Hospital CFO Report, notes that “hospitals are facing a stable…

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Editor's Note Republicans secured a 51-seat majority in the US Senate after victories in Ohio and West Virginia, promising a power shift that will see GOP leaders shaping decisions on pressing issues like drug pricing, public health agency reform, and rural healthcare. On November 6, STAT published an overview of…

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Editor's Note In this session focused on the roles and responsibilities of a business manager in the perioperative environment, Blas Brown, Jr, MBA, business director of perioperative services at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, emphasized the importance of technical and interpersonal skills. Specifically, he said, being business savvy is key to…

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Editor's Note A total of 27 announced deals for Q3 marks the highest point yet this year for hospital and health system transactions, DOTMed reported October 8, citing data from Kaufman Hall. “The increase aligns with pre-pandemic transaction levels, driven significantly by the bankruptcy of Steward Health Care, which accounted…

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Editor's Note Data from Fitch Ratings indicates hospital wage inflation is “leveling off,” Becker’s Hospital Review reported September 9, calling the report “good news” amid continued payroll increases and labor shortages. According to Becker's, key takeaways of the data include: Year-over-year average hourly earnings growth for hospital employees dropped 3%…

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Editor's Note A new low for median days cash-on hand could spell trouble for US nonprofit hospitals and health systems, Healthcare Dive reported August 12. “Nonprofit hospitals’ cash on hand — the funds immediately available to finance daily operations — is one indicator of financial health,” the outlet reports. “Low cash…

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Editor's Note Acquisition by private equity firms leaves healthcare facilities less equipped to care for patients, according to a recent study published in JAMA. NBC reported the news July 31. Conducted by researchers from the University of California at San Francisco, Harvard Medical School, and Hunter College, this nationwide study…

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Editor's Note The Supreme Court’s recent “Chevron” ruling could offer additional financial security to hundreds of so-called "tweener" rural hospitals—those too large to be considered critical access hospitals but too small to be rural referral centers. Modern Healthcare reported the news July 29. According to the article, critical access hospitals,…

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Editor's Note Erin Fox, senior pharmacy director at University of Utah Health who has been monitoring drug shortages for over 20 years, spoke to AP News in June of her concerns. Currently, the situation is worse than ever, with total active shortages hitting an all-time high of 323 (with 48…

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Editor's Note Hospital groups are criticizing CMS' proposed 2.6% pay increase for 2025, deeming it insufficient for nonprofit hospitals with operating margins near or below zero, according to a July 11 article in Becker’s Hospital CFO Report. The American Hospital Association and America's Essential Hospitals argue the rise won't cover…

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