Kaufman Hall: Halfway through 2022, hospital margins are still in the red

A new Kaufman Hall analysis noted that U.S. hospitals and health systems are experiencing some of the worst margins since the beginning of the pandemic, and 2022 continues to be on pace to be the worst year of the pandemic in terms of financial performance. Expenses remain at historic highs, leaving hospitals with cumulatively negative margins. The median Kaufman Hall Year-To-Date Operating Margin Index reflecting actual margins was -0.98% through July, underscoring the continued losses hospitals have experienced this year. Inflation and labor shortages contributed to total costs climbing 9.6% YTD.