Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
The 2015 Forecast Is Sunny For For-Profit Hospitals
Modern Healthcare: Why For-Profit Hospitals Are Poised For A Strong 2015 (And Not-For-Profits Aren't)
Analysts expect another strong year from the for-profit operators because they've cut costs and adopted new initiatives to bring in more patients. ... The report contrasts with the negative outlook Fitch and other credit-rating agencies have placed on not-for-profit hospitals. Management teams at investor-owned chains kept a tight rein on expenses over the past year and were conservative with how they managed capital, said Megan Neuburger, an analyst at Fitch who covers the for-profit sector. (Kutscher, 1/6)
Modern Healthcare: ProMedica Takes Antitrust Battle To Supreme Court
ProMedica has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court in its battle to keep a hospital it acquired more than four years ago. A lower court ruled the acquisition violated antitrust laws. It's a case with potential implications nationwide as more hospitals seek to expand through consolidations and acquisitions in efforts to improve care and lower cost. They're faced with the challenge of doing so without violating antitrust laws. The Ohio health system filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court in late December, asking the court to hear the case. (Schencker, 1/6)
