The following were the 10 most-read healthcare finance stories in December.
1. Plan to close Ohio hospital gets go-ahead after 11 months of debate
In Ohio, the Lakewood City Council voted unanimously to close Lakewood Hospital and replace it with a Cleveland Clinic health center and 24-hour emergency department. Read more
2. Brigham reports $53M shortfall after Epic transition
Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital reported its first budget shortfall in more than 15 years. Read more
3. Michael Jordan uses multimillion settlement to gift Chicago hospitals
Former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan kept his word to donate the net proceeds of an $8.9 million settlement against supermarkets Dominick's and Jewel-Osco to 23 Chicago nonprofits helping children. Read more
4. New York hospital to close this week
Summit Park Hospital and Nursing Care Center in Pomona, N.Y., will close Dec. 31. Read more
5. Medicare cuts payments to 758 hospitals for HACs: 6 things to know
In fiscal year 2016, 758 hospitals will have their Medicare payments reduced for being among those with the highest rates of hospital-acquired conditions. Read more
6. New data shows experts were wrong about where healthcare costs less
Researchers analyzed the real prices hospitals negotiate with private insurers and found places that spend less on Medicare do not necessarily spend less on healthcare overall. Read more
7. Hospital CFOs' top concerns for 2016
From the effects of high-deductible health plans to how to remain profitable in the future, hospital and health system CFOs certainly face a myriad of challenges in 2016. Read more
8. Louisiana hospital to close this month, aims to reopen in 2016
Dauterive Hospital is set to close its doors before the new year, but the Iberia, La.-based hospital plans to reopen in the spring under a new name. Read more
9. Hospitals in Dallas and Fort Worth file for bankruptcy: 6 things to know
Forest Park Medical Center's hospitals in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Read more
10. BJC to close Missouri hospital: 5 things to know
St. Louis-based BJC HealthCare will close Parkland Health Center-Weber Road in Farmington, Mo., which was formerly named Mineral Area Regional Medical Center, no later than Jan. 31, 2016. Read more
More articles on healthcare finance:
UMass Memorial posts strong financials, expects higher EHR costs next year
The essential skills of a health system CFO: 3 finance chiefs weigh in
CMS unveils new way to explore prescription drug spending