Report: Economy is sickening U.S. hospitals

[DogPoundPup]

Source: MSNBC

TRENTON, N.J. - The dismal economy has American hospitals ailing, with new data showing declines in overall admissions and elective procedures, plus a significant jump in patients who can't pay for care, the American Hospital Association said Wednesday.

Hospitals also have been hurt by losses on their investments due to the turmoil on Wall Street, and many are finding it more expensive to borrow money — if they can at all, according to a report from the association, which represents about 5,000 U.S. hospitals.

"The worst part is the combination of all of the above," said Rich Umbdenstock, the association's president and chief executive.

Some of the hardest-hit hospitals began reducing staffing and services as early as last spring and more will follow, although hospitals are trying to limit the impact on patients, said Umbdenstock. He and of of figures the to move him to there are as good an issue of I said hospitals are more likely to eliminate entire services — money-losers or ones with high operating costs — than to make across-the-board cuts that weaken all services.


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27809791/

[Akoto]

1. Doing something about costs for the patient would help this ...

I have a chronic pain condition, but went through testing just to filter out other possibilities. A pelvic and lower lumbar MRI cost me $1300 out of pocket. Upcoming caudal epidural will cost $1000, not counting facility and doctor's fees. Seeing the pain doctor at University of Miami (who is a great guy, for what it's worth) costs over $300 per visit. I would not have been able to do it without help from my parents.

Going to the hospital? Elective procedures? Forget about it!

[w4rma]

2. The insurance industry is destroying hospitals. (nt)