Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, which operates 119 hospitals, saw its net loss shrink in the second quarter of 2018 as the company continues to refine its hospital portfolio.
CHS said revenues dipped to $3.56 billion in the second quarter of 2018, down 14 percent from $4.14 billion in the same period of the year prior. The decline was largely attributable to CHS operating 24 fewer hospitals in the second quarter of 2018 than in the same period of 2017. On a same-hospital basis, revenues climbed 3.3 percent year over year.
After factoring in operating expenses and one-time charges, CHS ended the second quarter of 2018 with a net loss attributable to stockholders of $110 million. That's compared to the second quarter of 2017, when the company recorded a net loss of $137 million.
"Our second quarter results reflect progress in our key areas of strategic focus, most notably improvements in same-store operating results, progress on divestitures and successful refinancings," said CHS Chairman and CEO Wayne T. Smith in an earnings release.
As part of a turnaround plan put into place in 2016, CHS announced plans in 2017 to sell off 30 hospitals. The company completed the divestiture plan Nov. 1. To further reduce its debt, CHS intends to sell another group of hospitals with combined revenues of $2 billion. The company has already made progress toward that goal.
During 2018, CHS has completed seven hospital divestitures and entered into definitive agreements to sell five others. CHS said it continues to receive interest from potential buyers for certain hospitals.
"As we complete additional divestitures this year, we believe our portfolio will become stronger, and more of our resources can be directed to markets where we have the greatest opportunities to drive incremental growth," Mr. Smith said.
CHS' long-term debt totaled $13.67 billion as of June 30, a decrease from $13.88 billion as of the end of last year.
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