Sign up for The BriefPROSPER, Texas — Almost everything about the opening of the 2019 Prosper High School Eagles’ football season was big.
A KHN review of hospital finances in the country’s 306 hospital markets found that several of the most profitable markets also have some of the highest levels of patient debt. David Zipprich, a Fort Worth businessman and grandfather, was forced out of retirement after hospitalizations left him owing more than $200,000.
“My stress was off the charts,” he said, sitting in his neatly kept living room with his Shih Tzu, Murphy. Johnson said the center, where she’d gone after a knee injury, initially said her visits would cost $60. “Then they billed me hundreds,” she said. “I don’t go to the doctor unless I absolutely have to because it’s so expensive.”
But Smith and other hospital leaders point to billions of dollars of free or discounted care that hospitals nationwide provide every year. on their quality and community benefits. But he asked: “Is a hospital truly serving its community if it’s pushing so many into debt?” By comparison, profits at most of the 25 Fortune 500 companies based around Dallas-Fort Worth, such as ExxonMobil, were less than 6% in 2019, according to Fortune data.Hospitals have thrived in other markets with high patient debt, KHN found.
“You might think that hospitals in communities where patients have a lot of debt would be less profitable, but that doesn’t seem to be the case,” said Anuj Gangopadhyaya, a senior Urban Institute researcher who worked with KHN onIn fact, the analysis found, there is no apparent relationship between the profits of hospitals in a market and how much medical debt residents have.
, a nonprofit that tracks costs nationwide. And in a state where most markets have relatively low medical prices, in-patient care at Dallas-Fort Worth hospitals was 13% more expensive than the national median in 2020. “The rates at which patient balances are growing is just unsustainable for our health systems,” Sanderson said, predicting that most will never be able to collect bills of this size. “It’s trending to the ridiculous.”
KHNews Makes you wonder why? (Looking at you, Greg, for not opening up Medicaid.)
KHNews
KHNews Thanks, GovAbbott! Too bad you won’t expand Medicaid because you are owning the libs. Lots of conservatives have medical debt and have conditions that need treating, but they would rather own the libs, too. Make it make sense. Guess they can fend off creditors with their guns.
KHNews Wow, guess that whole ACA really didn’t help
KHNews Remind me again what rank our Republican run state is in citizens without health insurance. Lol, just kidding...everyone knows we rank 1 in that rotten catagory.
KHNews Canadian here: what the heck is a “hospital market?” When you’re hit by a car, do your loved ones shop around for the best deal before you get operated on? 🤪
KHNews Good to see leftists finally back to realizing that big pharma isnt your friend.
KHNews WANT TO PREVENT VOTER FRAUD....MAKE THEM GIVE US A RECEIPT FOR OUR BALLOT OR A COPY OF THE BALLOT AFTER IT WENT THROUGH THE MACHINE!!!!!!!! ON MAIL IN BALLOTS SEND A RECEIPT THROUGH THE MAIL!!!!!! DEMAND A RECEIPT.
KHNews The existence of the phrase 'profitable hospital markets' is peak end stage capitalism. The relentless push to deregulate and privatize everything has turned the least worst economic philosophy into a dystopia that makes socialism an attractive alternative to new generations.
KHNews Leftists finally start to get back to understanding big pharma isn't their friend
KHNews The legacy of 27 years of Republican governors.
KHNews It took me months to clear up a purported 'debt,' which was a provider trying to charge me b/c it could not be bothered to submit the bill to the ins. co. in the manner req'd by *their* contract. I am educated & determined so finally got it right. I'm betting many people do not.
KHNews 🔶Medical prices are soaring. Doctor insurance is soaring. Medical supplies are soaring. Medical insurance is soaring. Medical school prices are soaring. But the Republicans don't want better wages! Keep them poor and stupid! Lie constantly! Perfect!
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