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More Pennsylvania hospitals feeling economic pain

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 30, 2009

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The economic climate for general, acute-care hospitals in Pennsylvania has gotten worse since December 2008, according to a survey released March 12 by the Hospital & Healthsystem Assn. of Pennsylvania.

Almost 95% of the hospitals now say the recession has affected their financial projections for the current fiscal year. This has caused 84% to reduce or consider reducing staff, up from 62%. Also, 88% reduced capital spending for building improvements, renovations or new equipment.

According to the survey: 59% saw a moderate-to-significant increase in uninsured patients or patients needing financial help, 53% reported a moderate-to-significant decrease in admissions, and 53% reported a moderate-to-significant decrease in elective procedures. These were up from 50%, 49% and 43%, respectively.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/03/30/bibf0330.htm.

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