Thursday, March 23, 2017

Reuters — Uncertain fate of Obamacare causes some hospitals to halt projects, hiring —

Uncertainty surrounding the Republican plan to replace Obamacare is forcing some U.S. hospitals to delay expansion plans, cut costs, or take on added risk to borrow money for capital investment projects, dealing an economic blow to these facilities and the towns they call home.…Across the country, hospitals are shifting to a more conservative stance as they await sweeping changes to the nation's healthcare law that for the first time in U.S. history would reverse a government healthcare entitlement program. The Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, provided coverage to 20 million Americans and brought higher revenues to many hospitals. 

The law's likely overhaul puts many hospitals in a uniquely daunting position of being unable to predict how many of their patients will be insured and what type of coverage they will have in the future. As a result, many are more wary than in years past to invest in expensive capital projects, issue debt, or expand into new regions, said healthcare experts and hospital executives....
Hospital jobs increased after the Affordable Care Act expanded coverage. Now, amid increasing uncertainty around the nation’s healthcare law, hospital jobs are on the decline.
But, but, but, we are "saving money."

Reuters
Uncertain fate of Obamacare causes some hospitals to halt projects, hiring

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