COVID-19 and Missouri Hospital Finances

The COVID-19 emergency has harmed the state’s economy, but hospitals have been particularly hard hit. Their revenues have plummeted. Many of them have seen their expenses increase as they have reconfigured operations to prepare for the surge of COVID-19 patients, while maintaining their 24 hours a day, 7 days a week schedule of operations. With that combination, Missouri hospitals struggle with financial shortfalls ranging from daunting to dire. While the federal government has begun to distribute some financial relief — for which Missouri hospitals are deeply appreciative — its effect is temporary in staving off projected cutbacks in staffing and services.

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