Hospitals cut jobs, services as costs rise (Kaiser Health News)

Hospitals are cutting jobs and services as rising costs strain budgets, Kaiser Health News reported. Facilities in large, rural states have been hit especially hard. Hospitals pointed to low surgery volumes, high equipment prices, sicker patients and struggling investment along with their biggest expense, skyrocketing payroll. Contingent workers were also discussed; a hospital in Montana said it went from spending less than $100,000 a month on contingent workers before the pandemic to $1.4 million today.