Introduction For-Profit (F-P) hospitals have been ignored by economic and financial theories until very recently. It was easy to overlook such hospitals in the past because of their small market share and relative unimportance. However, the growth of F-P hospitals and their effect on the hospital industry raises several controversial issues that focus on whether there are notable differences in hospital performance, quality of care, efficiency, and access to health care across ownership types.
Objective To describe any variation in the characteristics between for-profit and non-profit hospitals, in addition to complete analysis of the characteristics of the hospitals converted from non-profit to for-profit status
Data The research used the Medicare Cost Report for the years 1991 and 1996.
Importance of the Study, Policy implications The importance of the study stems from the debate over the effect of ownership on health care services. If the type of ownership has no effect on the performance and the services provided by the hospitals, then society might be better off by eliminating charitable donations and the tax-exempt status of N-P hospitals. The market of hospitals is changing, a large number of non-profit hospitals have been converted to for-profit.
Learning Objectives: To describe any variation in the characteristics between for-profit and non-profit hospitals, in addition to complete analysis of the characteristics of the hospitals converted from non-profit to for-profit status. Policy implications due to these variations would be in form of the level of service and access for the community and indigent populations
Keywords: Access to Health Care, Conversions
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.