Although the local and national healthcare industry has continued to thrive, the millions of dollars lost by local hospitals could adversely affect Las Vegas nurse jobs and other health-related professions.

The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services recently reported that hospitals in the Las Vegas area saw operating losses of $133.1 million during 2009, which is almost twice as much as the operating losses experienced the previous year.

University Medical Center of Southern Nevada accounted for much of the decline, with the hospital reporting an operating loss of $92.2 million. Of the 12 other hospitals in the area, eight lost money during 2009, while only three were able to improve their bottom lines.

The operating income of each hospital last year was:

  • Centennial Hills – -$5.3 million
  • Desert Springs – +$19.1 million
  • Mountain View – -$3.4 million
  • North Vista – -$0.1 million
  • Southern Hills – -$24.4 million
  • Spring Valley – +$4.3 million
  • St. Rose-Rose de Lima – -$10.6 million
  • St. Rose-San Martin – -$19.5 million
  • St. Rose-Siena – +$27 million
  • Summerlin – +$20.4 million
  • Sunrise – -$46.8 million
  • UMC – -$92.2 million
  • Valley – -$1.4 million

It seems as though the hospital industry is suffering because of decreased tourism and construction industries, high unemployment, low patient numbers, higher charity care write-offs, and reduced Medicaid reimbursements.

“If people are not paying their mortgages, then they are not going to pay their health care bills,” Jack London, president of London Medical Management, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Even with people who have kept their jobs, they face the question, ‘Do I pay health premiums or feed my family?’”

The economy also is causing an increased number of patients to only visit a hospital after putting off problems for as long as possible. In addition, more patients are delaying elective procedures, in most cases because they can’t afford to pay for them.

“One of the sad realities of the managed care system is that it works best when people go to doctors not just when they are sick, but for their annual physicals,” David Samuels, president of EthiCare Breakthrough Solutions, said. “With this economy, people are delaying and delaying going to the doctors. And hospitals don’t get paid extra money if patients have greater acuity.”

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