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Industry Report Card: U.S. Corporate Health Care Dec 03
Standard & Poors, Dec 2003
Abstract
Hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care service companies generally are expected to benefit for the foreseeable future from relatively favorable third-party reimbursement, which is the major key to their credit prospects. In this period preceding the next presidential election, Medicare fees covering the elderly, and coverage under Medicaid programs for the indigent should experience increases averaging in the low single digits, notwithstanding government budget pressures. Moreover, while there appears to be some corporate resistance to proposed premium increases by managed-care organizations, private-pay price hikes could range into the low double digits. At the same time, service volumes should largely be sustained, although the growth in an uninsured population that now approaches 44 million people could dampen the demand for...
Standard and Poors RatingsXpress Credit Research provides in-depth coverage of international corporates, financial institutions, insurance companies, utilities, sovereigns and structured finance programs. RatingsXpress Credit Research lets users determine the credit rating of holdings and identify key factors underlying an issuer's creditworthiness, distinguishes the different risk exposures for new and existing deals, and provides an understanding of how their analysts interpret key regulatory, political and environmental events and their economic impact.
Research Type: Commentary
Criteria articles describe the thought process and methodology Standard & Poor's analysts use in determining ratings. These commentary pieces discuss both the quantitative (economic and financial) and qualitative (business analysis and caliber of management) aspects of the analysis, as well as legal issues.
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