Labor costs and availability continue to vex hospitals and health systems. Even the large, publicly traded systems (HCA Healthcare, Tenet Healthcare, Universal Health Services and Community Health Systems) are not immune. Everyone is paying more for labor, if they can find it. By the numbers Last week Universal and Community reported third quarter ... READ MORE >
As startups in health care look to new revenue models, questions remain
After years of struggling with rising costs among health care providers, investors are looking to primary care providers as a way to reduce expenses, improve outcomes and enhance patient experiences, the so-called triple aim. This model isn’t new to health care, but the amount of cash being invested in primary care is. In this model, providers coordinate ... READ MORE >
Anthem and Kroger to launch Medicare Advantage plan marking further shifts in health care delivery
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Kroger Health are teaming up to offer a Medicare Advantage plan next year. Anthem is seeking to gain market share in the Medicare Advantage space, which is dominated by United Healthcare. Kroger undoubtedly wants to create more reasons for people to walk into one of its 2,800 stores, most of which already operate ... READ MORE >
To solve shortage of nurses, first understand why they leave
As nurses’ critical role in health care rapidly evolves, they are becoming harder to find. A 2018 study published in the American Journal of Medical Quality estimated a shortage of 510,394 registered nurses by 2030. This shortage is driven by both supply and demand factors. On the supply side, the nursing workforce is aging out and colleges are not ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Broadband expansion is the bridge to better health
Today is World Health Day. The World Health Organization's theme this year, “a fairer, healthier world,” could not be more timely for the United States. President Biden recently released a $2.2 trillion infrastructure plan, which includes a number of initiatives directly or indirectly related to health care, including $100 billion to buildout critical ... READ MORE >
Pandemic recovery signals new ways health care can serve and grow
Health care services are poised to lead the services recovery for the next two years, according to analysis from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Not only will providers benefit from the return of pre-pandemic volumes, but the increasing likelihood of an endemic virus may present new ways for providers to serve their patients and communities. The ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: State disparity in mental health preparedness
We may be dealing with the mental health after-effects of the pandemic long after we’ve reached herd immunity. According to the United States Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, the average share of adults reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression increased to 41.1% in January. That is a nearly fourfold increase from the 11% observed over the ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Health care sector rides the SPAC wave
Amid the recent gyrations in the equity markets, special purpose acquisition companies, better known as SPACs, have continued to gain favor, particularly among retail investors flush with savings. And in the middle of this frenzy is the health care sector. Also known as blank-check companies, SPACs essentially flip the traditional initial public offering ... READ MORE >
This year may be the busiest ever for health care and life sciences deal volume
The annual JP Morgan Healthcare Conference kicks off virtually this week. In years past, the event has heralded announcements of large partnerships, joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions. This year, the health care sector could not even wait until the second full week of January to kick off an acquisition announcement spree. The quick start is an early ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: As vaccination begins, health care remains underemployed
The pandemic brought about a rare reduction in health care jobs at a time when they are most needed, for both patient care and for the effort to vaccinate millions of Americans against COVID-19. Hospitals reduced headcount by 126,200 jobs last April, which was the largest reduction since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the figure in 1989. The ... READ MORE >