U.S. Hospital Stocks Fall to Earth After Obamacare Reprieve
- Despite GOP bellyflop on repeal and replace, troubles loom
- Millions lack insurance, costs are rising and beds go empty
Trump Says GOP Health Bill Was 'Very Close' to Passing
One for-profit hospital in south Texas scrimps on scrubs, blankets, mops and employee overtime. A nonprofit in Boston is fighting to preserve its world-renowned academic research program. The future for both hospitals remains uncertain.
With the failure of the Republicans’ overhaul of the Affordable Care Act, hospital administrators from every corner of the U.S. have been breathing a sigh of relief. But the respite will likely be short-lived. True, 24 million Americans won’t be losing their insurance, a fact that had investors buoying hospital stocks. Even so, the industry is up against market forces that will compel hundreds of hospitals to shrink, remake themselves or even close in the months and years to come.