Declining reimbursements, workforce shortages, and policy shifts have caused many hospitals to operate at a loss. With fewer mission-driven partners available to help, these organizations are left with limited options. Some may need to make difficult decisions like service and staff reduction, bankruptcy or cease all operations. The Medicaid Maze and Rural Hospital Vulnerability The Big Beautiful Bill Act introduced…
Hospitals across the state know the story: a physician leaves, consults back up, patients wait, and transfers rise. Locums fill shifts at a high cost, but continuity suffers, and sustainable solutions remain elusive. This is no longer the exception – it’s the reality. From rural facilities to urban systems, specialty shortages in areas like neurology, psychiatry, and heme/onc are reshaping…
At first glance, the nursing shortage looks like it may be dropping. According to Indeed, nursing job postings have declined 10% over the past year. After years of pandemic-driven turmoil, it is tempting for health systems to believe the deficiency is in the rear-view mirror. But that viewpoint is risky. Beneath the surface, the shortage is still growing. Double-digit vacancies…
THA is stressing the importance of Congress acting before the end of 2025 to renew the enhanced premium tax credits (EPTC) that help Americans obtain coverage through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. THA’s new white paper, Keep Texans Insured: Renew the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, details the dramatic impact of EPTC on Marketplace enrollment both in Texas and across the…
In today’s complex health care environment, the term “midlevel provider” has become increasingly obsolete.
After each regular session of the Texas Legislature, hospitals and health care facilities collectively face an onslaught of new laws that require not only awareness, but also – in many cases – incorporation into the facility’s day-to-day operations. THA’s biennial New Health Care Laws guidebook helps member hospitals navigate the new legal landscape. The 2025 edition of this manual is…
Declining reimbursements, rising costs, and growing demands are forcing tough choices on services, staffing, and investments. This article highlights three areas where CFOs can take action to protect financial health and preserve access to care in their communities.
Open financial conversations can help reduce stress and boost productivity.
Community hospitals, especially those designated as Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), are facing mounting pressures from multiple fronts. Workforce shortages, rising supply costs, aging infrastructure and changing reimbursement models all strain hospital operations. At the same time, the rapid growth of Medicare Advantage plans introduces new barriers to care and payment, adding to the financial uncertainty. Medicare Advantage plans are now…
Boardrooms Under Pressure Across Texas, hospital boards are being asked to do more with less — more oversight, more complexity, more accountability — often without the operational support to match. From Joint Commission requirements to CMS readiness, governance is no longer a background function. It’s a frontline responsibility. For many hospitals, that responsibility now spans multiple facilities and director roles.…
