Texas holds more hospitals than any other state, and it holds the most rural hospitals at risk of closing of any state. However, it also has its fair share of financially successful hospitals.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis claimed in his State of the State address that one key reason healthcare costs so much is that hospitals are overcharging patients, with some large health systems posting record profits and sitting on significant cash reserves, according to CPR News. The Colorado Hospital Association disputes these claims.

Rural hospitals are often the most vulnerable to economic pressures, but there is no shortage of success stories for leaders to learn from and emulate, according to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. 

Colorado hospitals' operating margins have dropped 49 percent below 2019 levels, with most hospitals in the state operating under "unsustainable financial situations," according to data published by the Colorado Hospital Association. 

Orlando (Fla.) Health has been upgraded to "AA-" because of its sustained operating performance, healthy financial position and strong local market share, Fitch Ratings said.

Hundreds of hospitals in the U.S. are at immediate risk of closing, largely due not to financial mismanagement but inadequate reimbursements, according to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. 

It's a familiar story: hospital and healthcare systems reporting substantial losses amid labor challenges and poorer returns on investment portfolios.

Revenue Cycle Management company Ventra Health has named Darshan Patel president of emergency and hospital medicine. 

SimiTree has acquired Afia and GreenpointMed to strengthen its position in the behavioral health support market.

Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare has had its credit rating affirmed at "B-" amid expectations that its operating outlook will improve in 2023, S&P Global said.

Becker's has reported on nine health systems that have opted to outsource finance jobs or other revenue cycle functions since July 14:

Cleveland Clinic President and CEO Tom Mihaljevic, MD, said Jan. 18 the health system is anticipating a $200 million operating loss in 2022 during the health system's annual "State of the Clinic" address. 

Arlington, Va.-based Privia Health has teamed with Beebe Healthcare, a nonprofit system in Lewes, Del., to launch Privia Quality Network — Delaware, which is Privia's ninth ACO in its 11th state.

Hospitals and health systems are increasing spending on technology and software that can improve productivity and alleviate cost and labor pressures, according to Bain & Company and Klas Research.

The Federal Trade Commission proposed a rule in January that could lift wages by nearly $300 billion per year economywide by banning nearly all noncompete clauses in employment contracts.

Several healthcare organizations have recently closed medical departments or ended services at facilities to shore up finances, focus on more in-demand services or address staffing shortages.

Revenue cycle management company Wakefield is partnering with Healthcare Receivables Group. 

Juneau, Alaska-based Bartlett Regional Hospital has lost an average of $1.4 million per month for the last six months, Alaska Public Media, an NPR affiliate, reported Jan. 17.

Hospitals around the country are seeking CFOs, including several owned by Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare and Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems. Here are 20 recently-posted hospital CFO openings, by state:

Relatively few health systems experienced downgrades to their financial ratings since a Becker's roundup Dec. 22.