PA hospitals barely holding their ground

A new survey by the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania has concluded that while the state's hospitals have held their own over the last few months, increasing uninsured patient loads and falling elective procedure levels continue to erode their financial health.

Hospitals have certainly grown more gloomy about the financial prospects over the first quarter of 2009. HAP's survey found that almost all (95 percent) of the state's hospitals have had to scale back their financial projections for fiscal 2009. Eight-four percent reported that they have reduced or may reduce staff, up from 62 percent in December 2008 when HAP did its last survey.

Meanwhile, hospital leaders report that the U.S. recession is having a major impact on their patient mix. For example, 59 percent reported a moderate to significant increase in uninsured patients or patients needing financial help and 53 percent reported a significant decrease in elective procedures.

To learn more about the survey:
- read this HAP press release

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