The market for skilled workers, administrators and support staff remains tight in U.S. health care as providers struggle to fill jobs, particularly critical roles such as nurses. The numbers have not appreciably improved since the last time I wrote about this topic: Total health care job openings have remained around 1.1 million to 1.2 million since December of 2017. … READ MORE >
Health care
Medical cost ratio is a growing concern among health insurers
Among the worrisome trends discussed on health insurers’ recent earnings calls is a growing medical cost ratio, or MCR, the percent of premium the insurer spends on claims and expenses that improves health care quality. It is sometimes referred to as a medical-loss ratio. … READ MORE >
Health care faces demand for pricing transparency
On June 24, the president signed an executive order designed to improve transparency in the pricing of health care. It’s the latest move in an environment where consumers are exercising power over the cost of treatment, an area that historically offered them little wiggle room. … READ MORE >
As consumers gain leverage, lower health care deductibles are forthcoming
Over the past decade, higher deductibles have become standard for the majority of health care plans in the United States. That standard could change, however, as consumers gain a louder voice in the health care value equation. … READ MORE >
Treatment of some leases under new FASB standard can result in balance sheet surprise
So-called embedded leases may not be the first thing you think of when considering the effects of ASU 2016-02 under the new FASB standard for lease accounting. But this much-anticipated new rule can provide a forcing mechanism for how your business treats leases tied to service contracts. … READ MORE >
Want a fuller picture of biotech’s promise? Look beyond the public markets
The biotech ecosystem and the capital markets in which it operates are complex; viewing this sector through the lens of the public markets doesn’t provide a complete picture of its promise to investors. … READ MORE >
Investors eye hospital revenue bonds in search of yield
Investors are eyeing higher-yield hospital revenue bonds amid bargain prices underscored by the 10-year US Treasury, which is priced at its lowest level since 2017. But health systems have not yet stepped up to issue more debt to meet demand. … READ MORE >
Health care deal outlook for 2019 good, despite slow start to year–panel
Health care deals are down to start 2019, but the outlook is good, largely due to of the amount of dry powder on the sidelines, a recent panel of private equity professionals noted earlier this month. … READ MORE >
Time to get real on GDP and gasoline prices–read The Real Economy
In this issue of The Real Economy, RSM Chief Economist Joe Brusuelas reviews leading indicators of economic activity as the United States heads into the late innings of this current business cycle. … READ MORE >
Why health systems are buying into schools to offset their labor shortage
Recent tie-ups between health care systems and schools that provide medical training may signal the beginning of a trend within the health-care ecosystem — to remain competitive, providers must to boost their access to skilled labor by owning a piece of the talent pipeline or building programs that get them closer to it. … READ MORE >