- Reuters reports that headwinds from weak patient admissions will continue to affect hospital groups through 2018, driven by soaring out-of-pocket costs and uncertainty surrounding Obamacare. High-deductible plans, which shift upfront costs to patients, have reduced demand for non-emergency surgeries.
- HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) and Tenet Healthcare (NYSE:THC) have cut their outlooks for the year. HCA expects a compound annual growth rate of 4.8% through year-end, down from 6.7% while THC expects its growth rate to drop to 0.2% from 21%.
- Participation in high-deductible plans has risen 76% according to lobby group America's Health Insurance Plans.
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