AHA survey reports bad economic news for hospitals
Hospitals nationwide are seeing more uninsured patients in their emergency departments and fewer patients opting for inpatient and elective services, according to a new survey from the American Hospital Association (AHA) of Washington, DC.
AHA sent the survey to 4,946 community hospitals in March and received 1,078 responses.
Sixty percent of the hospitals responding to the survey have seen the upsurge in emergency department visits by people who have no insurance. Close to 50% of the hospitals also reported that they've cut staff, which has contributed to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that hospitals have doubled their mass layoffs from a year ago.
Also, the proportion of patients covered by Medicaid has risen, and the need for hospital-subsidized services has increased.
Nearly all of the hospitals responding to the survey nine in 10 said they've made cutbacks during this recession, and about 20% have reduced behavioral health programs, post-acute care, clinics, and patient education.
Hospital respondents also said they've seen significant or moderate declines in their hospital's economic situation in 2009 vs. 2008, and more than 40% reported losses for the first quarter of 2009.
The report can be found at the web site www.aha.org.
Hospitals nationwide are seeing more uninsured patients in their emergency departments and fewer patients opting for inpatient and elective services, according to a new survey from the American Hospital Association (AHA) of Washington, DC.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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