Hospitals in Mass. feel fiscal squeeze; 16 reported losses; service cuts feared [RomneyCARE at work]

Boston Globe ^ | July 10, 2011 | Robert Weisman

[Diogenesis]

Hospitals in Mass. feel fiscal squeeze 16 reported losses;
service cuts feared [RomneyCARE at work]

"Massachusetts hospitals are buckling under growing financial strains,
with 16 - nearly a quarter of them - losing money last year ...
Thirteen hospitals in the state also suffered losses in 2009,
but the deficits at many of them widened in 2010
... Health care professionals say the financial squeeze is likely to tighten
... So far, few have resorted to cutting medical services,
but there are concerns that could happen."

"Hard-pressed hospitals have done away
with thousands of jobs over the past few years.
Many have also introduced programs to cut waste
and streamline operations.

"In all, Massachusetts hospitals pared their projected expenditures
by about $3.1 billion in 2009 and 2010,
according to a study by the Massachusetts Hospital Association."

[Diogenesis]

[Rashputin]

Romney's a dolt. The fact that he's even in the running for the nomination is disgusting. How can someone who expands government and supports abortion even be called a conservative by anyone but flaming fascists and sorry socialists?

[Graybeard58]

How can someone who expands government and supports abortion even be called a conservative by anyone but flaming fascists and sorry socialists?

There's another group that supports him, "conservative" Utah will give him about 95% of the primary vote.

[Brilliant]

They have the highest healthcare costs in the Nation, and their hospitals are still losing money.

[Rashputin]

They put their version of religion above everything else which is obvious when you look at Harry Reid. US Evangelicals did the same thing with Carter because he said he was “born again” but had never in his life even pretended to be a conservative. You'd think people would learn that it's getting a solid conservative elected that really counts.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

They have the highest healthcare costs in the Nation, and their hospitals are still losing money.

Hey, the army of bureacrats that got hired to administer this monstrosity gotta eat too.

[Eye of Unk]

I am seeing a potential problem in Wasilla, Alaska.

Being in the construction trades I have seen an explosion of growth of new health care centers in the Valley, way too many more than a person could think that is needed.

You go to the newest movie house and all you see is ads for doctors and dentists. I think the healthcare groups all acroos the US are over saturating the markets. I predict many will only stay open for a brief time.

I do not have health insurance and I will not buy any. And I take better preventative care of myself so I won’t have to depend on doctors.

[mewzilla]

Meanwhile, from December 2010...

Census: Massachusetts will lose a House seat

Go figger.

[Sparky1776]

“They have the highest healthcare costs in the Nation, and their hospitals are still losing money.”

It might simply be that there are a lot of hospitals in Massachusetts competing for the same patients:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hospitals_in_Massachusetts

Maybe some SHOULD fail so the others can thrive?

[Brilliant]

It’s not so much that they are competing for the same patients as it is that there aren’t enough doctors to utilize them fully.

[Venturer]

But: The RINO’s say it is his turn.

[Venturer]

Not having Health Care is your choice.

But: You are not an automobile. The finest maintenance in the world cannot predict you from whatever human ailment you may come down with, Cancer, Heart Attack, Leukemia, all of the various and sundry human ailments can hit you like a shot in spite of all the healthy diet, excercise and preventive care you might take.

Most Americans cannot save enough in a lifetime to pay for One 3 day visit to the hospital.

[muawiyah]

You'd best hope you have selected good genes as well.

And don't have an accident ~ you know like falling off a ladder, or jumping on a construction elevator that's not there yet.

If you dig your way through the net on the topic of "preventative care" you find out that mosquito abatement is pretty good ~ does what it says it will do, but otherwise there's no evidence that it is in any way advantageous in terms of extending your lifespan.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

And I take better preventative care of myself so I won’t have to depend on doctors.

So do I, but as the saying goes, "situations transpire." Best to have some kind of catastrophic coverage if it's needed.

[Chode]

and without all the illegals like CA has...

[MinuteGal]

I recently spent 13 days in the hospital for a relatively minor health happenstance from which I'm fully recovered. The problem appeared overnight like a bolt from the blue.

The hospital bill was $78,000....not including doctors fees. My insurance covered the whole ball of wax.

Some people think they are immune from such incidents and don't need health insurance. What fools....one single hospital stay can virtually wipe out you and your dependent loved ones unless you're a millionaire.

Leni

[FrankR]

[pallis]

All they need is a bigger illegal alien clientele. At the very least, that would get expensive emergency rooms shutdown.

[Venturer]

I amsurprised that your bill was that small. I have seen bills like that for a two day stay.

[The Theophilus]

They put their version of religion above everything else which is obvious when you look at Harry Reid.

Isn't that supposed to be how it works?

Being a member of a religion is not the same as being a member of a particular country club, bicycle rally or Moose Lodge. In theory, the religion is deeper than an affiliation of like minded people in that religion is supposed to transcend the temporal. Harry Reid is a Mormon in label only. He is far estranged from Mormon Principles and teachings. In Nevada, only 7% of the population claims to be of the Mormon faith, not 27% in Idaho or 72% in neighboring Utah so I doubt the Mormon vote was consequential. What Nevada does have is plenty of union thugs and a strong presence of The Mob. The religion of union membership has greater solidarity and fidelity than your typical garden variety Mormon has to the LDS faith.