Just spoke with a hospital CEO through Stream Research Group.
He thinks total hospital wages are up 10% – 15% and payroll is about 40% – 60% of expenses.
Hospitals are only getting 2% price increases so margins are compressed or turning negative
System is going towards a few large chains, higher costs, and longer wait times.
States are going to have to allow anti-trust exceptions or watch large numbers of small hospitals go out of business.
