Capital Finance
Decreased federal funding, staffing demands, risk-based contracts drive negative outlook amidst political uncertainty, ratings firm says.
It was an active year in the realm of capital finance in healthcare: big-dollar deals, new analytics approaches and a dose of philanthropic spirit.
CHS has been offloading hospitals for months now, with the current tally reaching 19 that have been or will be sold.
However, a roll-back of Affordable Care Act policies tied to Medicare and CHIP funding could present new challenges to the sector.
The design and construction of both inpatient and outpatient facilities has helped hospitals become a major economic force.
Over the past three years, the sprawling VA system has come under fire from Congress because veterans were waiting too long to see a doctor.
In addition to harming patients and crippling a healthcare provider, the attacks in the future will cause stock fluctuations that benefit criminals, said Scott Borg, chief economist at the U.S. Cyber Consequences Unit.
The increase comes on the heels of a five-year period of historically low growth, from 2009 to 2013.
Opportunities include expanding the list of acceptable activities, greater transparency, new tax guidance on improvement activities.
Since those margins and fundraising capabilities are higher, children's hospitals also tend to have higher liquidity, Moody's found.