Hospital highlights - More on patients and revenue

Several community members have spoken with me about the article on the front page of the last week’s Gazette entitled, “Drop in Patient Visits Hits Hospital’s Revenue.” Many have told me that they were surprised by the news. I’ve responded by saying the article was accurate and then expanded on some of the information. I’d like to do that for you now.

In the past, many people thought hospitals were recession proof. Everyone assumed that people use health services when they need them and people get sick regardless of the economy so they will continue to seek care. That has been largely true in...