For the first time in 35 years, the hospitals saw bad debt decrease in 2015, which Karen Roth, the report author and director of research for the coalition, attributes to the increase of insured patients as a result of the ACA.
In addition to the declines in bad debt and charity care, St. Louis hospitals saw operating profits increase by 45 percent collectively.
Since the list prices for services also increased 8 percent in 2015, St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition’s report noted it is unclear if the profit growth was driven by higher prices or more efficient care.
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