Large health systems have started to report profits and stronger margins in the last 18 months after pandemic disruptions. Firms such as Kaufman Hall and Strata have also reported nonprofit hospital margins ticking up.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez approved the closure of Dallas-based Steward Health Care's two Massachusetts hospitals, Boston-based Carney Hospital and Ayer-based Nashoba Valley Medical Center, by Aug. 31 during a July 31 hearing. 

It's been a good year for HCA Healthcare. 

From Change Healthcare beginning to send out breach notifications, to Carilion Clinic outsourcing revenue cycle operations to Ensemble, here are nine RCM headlines Becker's reported in July: 

Here are four CFO moves Becker's has reported on since July 30:

The demand for behavioral health services continues to climb, but staff turnover within the sector remains a widespread challenge for providers across the country, Universal Health Services executives said July 25 during the company's second-quarter earnings call. 

Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare posted net operating revenues of $17.49 billion in the second quarter of 2024, up from $15.86 billion posted over the same period last year. 

A recent JAMA network study found that hospital assets decreased 24% after being acquired by private equity. The study comes after a recent Becker's LinkedIn poll found that 50% of respondents feel that PE ownership has a "mostly negative" effect on hospitals. 

MultiPlan executives are defending the company's data and analytics services on Capitol Hill, Politico reported July 30. 

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein has urged state officials to deny Asheville-based Mission Health's application to add 26 more beds in Buncombe County as pressure mounts for HCA Healthcare to give up control of the system. 

Several executives at Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare recently sold shares of the company's stock, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings. 

Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare operates in three geographically organized groups, according to a July 29 regulatory filing. 

Revenue cycle management company SimiTree has named Mike Brents managing director of technology consulting. 

Median hospital labor expenses grew 5.2% year over year in June, according to Strata's Monthly Healthcare Industry Financial Benchmarks report.

CMS has approved North Carolina's plan to push hospitals to relieve $4 billion in medical debt for about 2 million low and middle-income people.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has alleged that Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health System prioritizes profits over quality care and is demanding the system find a trustworthy buyer for two of its Pennsylvania hospitals it plans to sell. 

In the second quarter, Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare saw its net income increase 25% year over year to $1.5 billion, partly due to the health system's success in reducing its contract labor costs. 

Dallas-based Steward Health Care has again filed a notice to extend the sale deadline for some of its hospitals and physician group, Stewardship Health. 

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago has laid off a "very small" number of employees after a comprehensive budget review, the hospital confirmed in a July 27 statement shared with Becker's. 

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey's administration has dedicated $30 million to financially troubled Dallas-based Steward Health Care's hospitals in the state to ensure operations through the end of August.