Prognosis
Hospital Closures, Cuts Mean Fewer Options for Rural Patients
- Patients returning but heavy losses will force tough financial decisions
- Surge of Covid-19 patients could jeopardize hospitals’ recovery
Photographer: John Moore/Getty Images
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The renewed Covid-19 outbreak and the aftershocks from the first wave of infections are forcing hospitals to make tough financial decisions as they prepare to absorb roughly $120 billion in losses through the second half of 2020.
Hospitals are resuming elective procedures that were halted during the early months of the pandemic and are slowly rebuilding lost patient volume and revenue. But they still face an uncertain future as ripple effects from the outbreak continue to force closures, job cuts, and service cutbacks.