John C. Lincoln Health Network in Phoenix has halted the construction of new patient tower at its North Mountain Hospital; Banner Health is delaying the opening of its Ironwood hospital in Queen Creek; St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix is cutting employee perks and its parent company, Catholic Healthcare West, stopped new equipment purchases, according to the report.
A survey funded by St. Luke’s Health Initiatives and other community groups found that more than 1.1 million Arizonans are struggling with medical debt.
John C. Lincoln reported that its network’s insured patients did not pay $4 million in bills last year, a 26 percent increase over 2007, and that the organization has experienced a large drop in paying patients willing to undergo elective procedures, according to The Arizona Republic.
Read The Arizona Republic’s report on Arizona hospital cutbacks.
