Nonprofit hospitals have decreased charity care spending even as operating profits, cash pools grow

The new study is the latest in a string of research suggesting nonprofit hospitals’ balance sheets benefit from the latitude they have regarding charity care spending.

By Rebecca Pifer • June 6, 2023

Sutter Health names first chief physician executive

Todd Smith will be responsible for delivering systemized service line standards, deepening relationships between medical groups and community physicians, and reducing clinical variation.

By Sydney Halleman • June 6, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitals need nurses so desparetly they're offering massive sign-on bonuses and staffing firms say open positions for both temporary and permanent nursing roles are at all-time highs

By Healthcare Dive staff

Tenet to pay over $29M to settle kickback allegations at Detroit Medical Center

The Department of Justice alleged two DMC hospitals offered the services of mid-level practitioners to physicians in exchange for Medicare patient referrals.

By Emily Olsen • June 2, 2023

BJC HealthCare, Saint Luke’s Health System plan to merge, forming $10B system

The organizations signed a non-binding agreement to form a 28-hospital system serving patients in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.

By Emily Olsen • June 1, 2023

Medicaid changes, end of COVID emergency hampered hospital margins in April

Inflation and high expenses are placing a burden on hospitals as they recover from COVID-19 challenges. Hospital labor expenses rose 3% in April from March, according to Kaufman Hall.

By Brian T. Horowitz • June 1, 2023

Advocate Health reports 0.1% operating margin in inaugural Q1 earnings

The nonprofit giant formed in December barely made it into the black, after revenue of $7.54 billion squeaked past expenses of $7.53 billion.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 31, 2023

Kaiser pledges $10M to safety-net hospital to stem ‘unprecedented financial challenges’

Denver Health — the largest provider of care for uninsured people in the city — has struggled with rising costs and a surge in sicker patients.

By Sydney Halleman • May 31, 2023

Persistent expenses drove Ascension to $1.8B operating loss

Improving volumes, especially outpatient surgeries and emergency room visits, failed to outpace growing expenses in the nine-month period.

By Sydney Halleman • May 30, 2023

Cleveland Clinic outpaced expense growth to return to profitability in Q1

The health system noted that growing expenses are still a concern, with labor costs like overtime increasing.

By Emily Olsen • May 25, 2023

Providence narrowed losses as patient volumes increased

The Renton, Washington-based health system said inflation, labor shortages, delayed reimbursement from payers and supply chain problems are still affecting its bottom line, but its financial outlook is improving.

By Emily Olsen • May 23, 2023

Intermountain posts $549M profit after revenue grew in Q1

The health system’s expenses, though, climbed 44% to $3.7 billion, with a large portion coming from employee compensation and benefits.

By Emily Olsen • May 23, 2023

What 3 key congressional hearings last week mean for the industry

Political will seems to be rising to address drivers of growing medical costs and poor access to care, according to lawmaker comments on the Hill.

By Sydney Halleman , Rebecca Pifer • May 19, 2023

Mayo Clinic grew profits in Q1, despite rising expenses

The Rochester, Minnesota-based academic medical system reported increased admissions and revenue in the first quarter. Operating expenses also grew, largely due to salary and benefit costs.

By Emily Olsen • May 19, 2023

Pennsylvania unions file antitrust complaint against UPMC

The unions allege that UPMC, the largest private employer in the state, has used its market dominance to stamp out wage growth, “drastically increase” workload and keep workers from departing for other jobs.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 19, 2023

House committee centers blame on PBMs for rising healthcare costs

Conversation about pharmacy benefit management consolidation dominated the hearing, with lawmakers pointing to the middlemen as drivers of high health costs.

By Sydney Halleman • May 18, 2023

House Republicans target Biden admin over hospital price transparency noncompliance

To improve price transparency, the government could consider extending reporting requirements to more provider sites or making compliance a condition of participating in Medicare, witnesses testified in a Tuesday hearing.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 17, 2023

CommonSpirit’s operating losses swell, sparking job cuts

Better investment returns due to a rebound in the financial markets helped mitigate CommonSpirit’s net loss, which reached $231 million in the quarter.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 16, 2023

CommonSpirit taps TrinityHealth executive as new chief strategy officer

Effective June 5, Sheri Shapiro will be responsible for advancing market strategy for the Chicago-based health system, which operates 138 hospitals across 22 states.

By Sydney Halleman • May 12, 2023

Cano divesting non-core assets to bolster cash flow, CEO says

The primary care provider, which has been embroiled in a boardroom fight, is focused on improving profitability in its core Medicare Advantage business.

By Susan Kelly • May 11, 2023

Here’s what will change when the COVID public health emergency ends

Vaccines, which have been crucial to curbing the threat of the virus, will remain free for the vast majority of people in the U.S., but over-the-counter tests will no longer be covered for most.

By Shannon Muchmore • May 10, 2023

Premier explores strategic alternatives, including a sale

The group purchasing organization lowered its revenue outlook last week due to softer demand from its customers amid excess inventory levels.

By Susan Kelly • May 9, 2023

Kaiser posts $1.2B in Q1 net profit after $961M net loss in prior-year quarter

The first-quarter report comes weeks after the operator announced its plans to acquire Geisinger Health and form a new nonprofit with the purpose of acquiring and operating other nonprofit systems.

By Sydney Halleman • May 8, 2023

Celebrated healthcare heroes are workplace violence victims

Violence prevents nurses, doctors and other professionals from providing uninterrupted, quality patient care, argues Andrew Thum, the director of nursing workforce operations at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia.

By Andrew Thum • May 8, 2023

AHA, hospital groups file court brief asking to restore ACA preventive services mandate

The medical associations said preventive health services are essential to increase longevity and quality of life, and that medical evidence should dictate preventive care recommendations rather than political considerations.

By Brian T. Horowitz • May 8, 2023

Healthcare added 40K jobs in April with hospital, ambulatory gains

The April job numbers are a decrease compared to the sector's average monthly gain of 47,000 jobs over the prior six months.

By Sydney Halleman • May 5, 2023