Hospitals, group practices and nursing facilities agree with President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform initiative.
The President hopes to achieve near-universal coverage for health, provide better quality and lower costs, promote technological development and research and improve preventive care. The plan is favored by most middle-market healthcare businesses with annual revenues between $25 million and $1 billion.
The research report says “U.S. Middle Market Outlook 2009: Resiliency in the Healthcare Sector,”56 percent of respondents support reform in general. Forbes Insights and CIT (a leading provider for financing to small and medium-sized businesses), released the findings. They surveyed more 100 healthcare executives.
Eighty percent believe that electronic health records will help hospitals and medical centers while also protecting their privacy and reducing errors. Healthcare companies will continue to thrive if they place more emphasis on preventative healthcare, such as routine screenings and better nutrition.
However, only 28 per cent of executives would like to see Medicare or Medicaid reimbursements change.
The healthcare industry is optimistic about its prospects, despite the economic recession.
“Middle market healthcare executives are optimistic about the positive impact that the Obama administration’s plans for healthcare reform will have on their businesses,”Margaret Au Brown, president of CIT Healthcare and co-head, said: “While other industries have decreased borrowing activity, we see our middle market healthcare clients continuing to borrow at a steady pace as they prepare for the costs associated with these healthcare reform initiatives.”
There are many reasons to be optimistic about the healthcare industry. Healthcare is not like other industries. Patients cannot choose to forgo healthcare when they require it. The current workforce might allow companies to hire new talent. In fact, 43 percent of the healthcare companies are planning to expand their workforce by 2009.
Request a complimentary copy “U.S. Middle Market Outlook 2009: Resiliency in the Healthcare Sector,” visit http://middlemarket.cit.com.
