Community Benefit

Last month, Paul R. Bengston, CEO of Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, a small, critical access hospital located in St. Johnsbury, Vt., was chosen to lead the American Hospital Association's Section for Small or Rural Hospitals in 2014. The 21-person governing council represents small or rural hospitals in the AHA's policy process and member services initiatives.

Since the recession first began in 2008, hospitals and health systems have continually seen a drop in inpatient volumes. Most industry experts say they expect more of the same for the rest of 2014 and even the next five years or so.

Like many businesses faced with a transforming industry, hospital operators are working on ways to evolve into new models while bringing in revenue.

Back in the early 2000s, Mid-State Health Center was in dire need. The new CEO knew something had to be done immediately, but the facility didn't have access to appropriate funding. So, the CEO got creative.

Empowered consumers, rapid innovation and increasing competition are among PwC's top health industry issues for 2014.

The new budget deal passed by lawmakers last week doesn't restore funding to various government discretionary programs that support social services - such as healthcare programs for the homeless. And that's likely to lead to higher healthcare spending and increased charity care at hospitals.

If mHealth entrepreneurs and investors want to take the burgeoning industry to the next level, they're going to have to change their focus, said experts kicking off the 2013 mHealth Summit.

LifePoint Hospitals, headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn., acquires the struggling Bell Hospital and forms a joint venture with Portage Health.

In theory, if an investment has high societal value, there should be a way to reward the investor and still leave society better off. Investments that improve health tend to produce significant potential cost offsets.

Consumers are not alone in finding retail clinics an attractive option. Increasingly, hospitals are adding them to their array of services.