How the PPACA is impacting Ascension Health: 6 findings

The study analyzed data provided by Ascension, a nonproft Catholic system with 131 acute-care hospitals in 16 states and Washington, D.C.

Here are six other findings from the study.

1. Ascension hospitals in Medicaid expansion states saw a 7.4 percent increase in Medicaid discharge volumes from 2013 to 2014. That compares to a 1.4 percent increase for hospitals in non-expansion states during the same period of time.

2. Ascension hospitals in Medicaid expansion states saw an 8.2 percent increase in Medicaid revenue from 2013 to 2014 and a 63.2 percent decrease in revenue from self-pay, according to the study.

3. Ascension hospitals in non-expansion states saw a 9.4 percent decline in Medicaid revenue from 2013 to 2014 and a 2.6 percent increase in revenue from self-pay.

4. Ascension hospitals in Medicaid expansion states had larger relative increases in operating margins from 2013 to 2014 compared to hospitals in non-expansion states, the study found.

5. Operating margins among Ascension hospitals in Medicaid expansion states increased from 2.1 percent in 2013 to 3.4 percent in 2014. This is attributed to almost zero growth in the costs of providing healthcare.

6. Charity care costs decreased 40.1 percent among Ascension hospitals in Medicaid expansion states from 2013 to 2014 compared to 6.2 percent in non-expansion states during the same period of time.

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