Massachusetts' congressional lawmakers are requesting information from Steward Health Care after local reports about looming hospital closures within the system, which operates nine hospitals in the state.

It's been nearly four months since La Grange, Texas-based St. Mark's Medical Center closed its doors Oct. 12 over an inability to pay its mortgage debts. While there have been attempts to resurrect the hospital, many remain hopeful it will one day provide care for the community again. 

Stafford, Conn.-based Johnson Memorial Hospital, part of Hartford, Conn.-based Trinity Health of New England, is appealing a $394,000 civil penalty from the state Office of Health Strategy for failing to resume labor and delivery services despite state requirements to do so, CT Insider reported Jan. 20.

Midland, Mich.-based MyMichigan Health saw a 6.2% year-over-year increase in operating income to $7.5 million while net income decreased by 60% to $20 million for its second quarter running Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023.

A recent survey from Sage Growth Partners, a business management consultant company, highlights how hospital and health system leaders are focusing on strategic initiatives to tackle ongoing workforce shortages and reduce costs in the next year.

Continued financial challenges have led to closure discussions at three major care providers in the last week.

Sayre, Pa.-based Guthrie Clinic is now seeing patients at the former Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock, Pa.

Up to 500,000 New Yorkers will be cleared of their healthcare debt through a new program rolled out by New York City, which will invest $18 million to relieve more than $2 billion in debt. 

North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison has made cost reduction efforts — including layoffs and voluntary pay cuts for administrative staff — amid declining revenue. 

Hospital Sisters Health System will close two hospitals in Western Wisconsin in the next two months, a move that will terminate the nonprofit system's presence in the region. 

Moody's has upgraded New York City-based NYU Langone Health revenue bonds from "A2" to "A1." 

With expenses outpacing revenue growth and labor expenses continuing to rise, 2024 is going to be another challenging year for hospitals across the country, Dan Rieber, CFO of Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth, told Becker's. 

The Winnebago (Neb.) Comprehensive Healthcare System has transferred to a new independent network in the third phase of a technology transformation plan to advance staff operations and improve patient experience. 

Rockville Centre, N.Y.-based Catholic Health is conducting a survey to get community input regarding the planned closure of its Smithtown, N.Y.-based St. Catherine of Siena Hospital maternity ward on Feb. 1.

Revenue cycle management company mergers and acquisitions are off to a quick start in 2024, with four deals announced or completed so far in January.

On the heels of financial pressures and workforce shortages experienced last year, many hospitals and health systems are continuing to face maternity service closures in 2024.

President Joe Biden forgave another $5 billion in student loans on Jan. 19, absolving 74,000 Americans of their debt. 

The State of New York is planning to significantly shrink or possibly close University Hospital at Downstate in Brooklyn due to concerns that include low patient volumes, a deteriorating hospital building and an operating deficit of about $100 million, The New York Times reported Jan. 20.

Intermountain Health will end and divest its Precision Genomics Laboratory Feb. 1.

Massachusetts is pressuring Steward Health Care to develop a restructuring plan or risk sending the state into a public health emergency, The Boston Globe reported Jan. 19