Report: RI hositals lost money last year despite increase in patient revenue

Rhode Island's hospitals lost money in 2008, not surprising given the depressed state of the overall U.S. economy, a new report notes.

The report, which was published by the Rhode Island Department of Health, looked at the financial performance of the state's 13 hospitals from 2005 to 2008.

While in 2007, the state's hospitals did better than others in the northeast, they saw a 12 percent loss in net worth during 2008. The decline was attributable to investment losses, not decreases in patient revenue. Actually, patient revenue went up 6 percent from 2007 to 2008, but it wasn't enough to offset investment declines.

The report also noted that hospitals within health systems did better financially than independent hospitals in the state, based on 12 independent measures of health taken over four years.

To learn more about the report:
- read this Healthcare Finance News article