Hundreds of medical facilities across the country were a step away from financial collapse due to the coronavirus epidemic.
This is reported by Bloomberg.
According to the American Hospital Association, by the end of June, losses for U.S. hospitals could reach about $202.6 billion.
“I just don’t know how many institutions will survive this”, – commented on the situation chairman of the American Heart Association Rod Hohman.
Even large medical corporations are experiencing a decline in revenue. For example, HCA Healthcare, considered one of the most successful in the segment, has suspended quarterly dividends and share buyback.
It is predicted that even with the end of the Coronavirus epidemic, health problems will not disappear. This is particularly true for rural hospitals. If before the Coronavirus crisis about a quarter of US hospitals were experiencing financial difficulties, now this figure has reached 50%.
“The pandemic will create an accelerated tipping point and hospitals will have to restructure or close more quickly,” said James Wesp, head of Oasis LLC’s health advisory service.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that the closure of hospitals will lead to an increase in deaths, the expert stresses.
The federal government has already allocated a total of $175 billion in support of medical institutions. However, as noted by Bloomberg, this amount “is approximately equivalent to what the U.S. usually spends for three and a half weeks on treatment in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other health services.