Hospitals and other healthcare providers are more confident about their economic stability, experiencing improved financial performance and increased employment, according to a survey from GE Capital.
GE Capital evaluated responses from 110 survey respondents in the healthcare industry, including services and product firms. Highlights from the survey are shown below.
1. Confidence is largely rooted in local economies, not the national economy. According to the survey, 67 percent of respondents are "extremely confident" or "somewhat confident" about local economic activity. An additional 68 percent of respondents reported improved financial performance over the last six months.
2. Fifty-five percent of respondents reported increased employment over the past six months, up from 45 percent from the last GE Capital survey in March. Nearly half (47 percent) of respondents expect improved employment over the next 12 months, according to the survey.
3. Respondents are still concerned over the cost of healthcare and changing government policies as primary concerns, as reimbursement rates are expected to remain flat. Other concerns include ensuring compliance with industry regulations.