Cutting, as they say, to the chase:
Here in Florida, hospitals have been able to increase their profits for the same reason male dogs can lick their balls.
Which is: Because they can.
Ironically, in an early attempt to slow the skyrocketing cost of hospital care, the Florida legislature created the Florida Hospital Cost Containment Board some four decades ago.
Then, after several years, the the "Cost Containment" agency was renamed the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
But as AHCA, the agency's primary task remained the same as its predecessor: To track hospital costs (and profits) in Florida.
That said, it seems AHCA has been successful in keeping hospital patient care charges under control - when adjusted for inflation.
However, at the same time,hospitals have managed to reduce their patient care costs - they've failed to pass on the benefits of their efforts to the health patient consumer.
Especially when it comes to the hospital industry's increase in bottom line profits.
Florida Hospitals
Trends - Costs v Profits
Per Adjusted Admission
All Hospitals 1990 2000 2013
Charges $5,464 $6,916 $10,061
In 2013 dollars $10,244 $9,328 $10,061
Cost $5,286 $6,674 $9,362
In 2013 dollars $9,927 $9,009 $9,362
Profit $178 $242 $699
In 2013 dollars $317 $317 $699
Margin 3.3% 3.6% 7.5%
Today, AHCA has launched yet another website -- this time at www.floridahealthfinder.gov.
Where once again, we find Florida hospital costs are more Persian market than free market.
Only time, AHCA's data covers selected diseases.
For example, consider the insanity of various Chargemasters at work in a comparison of hospital charges between 2007 and 2014 .
Chronic Disease
"Congestive Heart Failure"
Broward Hospitals
Average Charge
2007 2014
Broward Health
Broward Medical $79,240 $83,645
Adjusted for inflation $106,974 $83,645
Coral Springs $52,494 $39,753
Adjusted for inflation $70,867 $39,753
Imperial Point $37,682 $31,657
Adjusted for inflation $50,871 $31,657
North Broward $39,242 $48,920
Adjusted for inflation $52,977 $48,920
Memorial Healthcare
Memorial Miramar $48,461 $72,911
Adjusted for inflation $65,422 $72,911
Memorial Pembroke $49,923 $73,848
Adjusted for inflation $67,396 $73,848
Memorial Regional $64,095 $109,703
Adjusted for inflation $86,598 $109,703
Memorial South $43,313 $51,556
Adjusted for inflation $58,473 $58,473
Memorial West $48,374 $87,678
Adjusted for inflation $65,305 $87,678
Private Hospitals
Cleveland Clinic $43,648 $52,442
Adjusted for inflation $58,925 $52,442
Florida Medical $90,418 $103,908
Adjusted for inflation $122,064 $103,908
Holy Cross $70,460 $65,475
Adjusted for inflation $95,121 $65,475
Northwest $58,882 $105,247
Adjusted for inflation $79,491 $105,247
Plantation $86,009 $120,293
Adjusted for inflation $116,112 $120,293
University $51,416 $73,869
Adjusted for inflation $69,412 $73,869
Westside $83,095 $101,638
. Adjusted for inflation $112,178 $101,638
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