Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1541321
31 HEALTHCARE NEWS 31 OBBBA impact could cost hospitals $25B a year: Report By Jakob Emerson H ospitals nationwide could see annual revenue losses of up to $25 billion through Medicaid losses stemming from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to a new analysis from Kodiak Solutions. e law, passed July 4, cuts about $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next decade, making it the largest reduction in the program's history. e number of uninsured Americans is projected to grow by 14.2 million by 2034, which includes the 10 million newly uninsured estimated by the Congressional Budget Office due to the legislation's Medicaid and Medicare provisions, plus the 4.2 million that will lose coverage from the expiration of ACA enhanced premium tax credits. Five things to know: 1. Kodiak modeled the hospital revenue and profit impact of four Medicaid disenrollment scenarios (5%, 10%, 15% and 20% reductions) in which enrollees become uninsured and shi to self- pay. e analysis is based on data from 2,100 hospitals and 300,000 physicians using Kodiak's revenue cycle platform. 2. Depending on the scenario, the average hospital would lose between 0.4% to 1.4% of its annual net revenue, or $1 million to $4 million. Collectively, hospitals could see a decrease of up to $25 billion in net revenue annually. Net income for the average hospital could decrease by more than 71%, with a 70% drop in operating profit margin. • 5% Medicaid disenrollment: $1M+ drop in annual net revenue • 10% disenrollment: $2M+ drop • 15% disenrollment: $3M+ drop • 20% disenrollment: Nearly $4M drop 3. Worst-case scenario: For an average hospital with $278M in net revenue and a 2% margin, net income could fall by 71% to $1.6M, while operating profit margins could shrink by 70%, to 0.6% from 2%. 4. Hospitals will see uncompensated care costs increase by more than $63 billion by 2034 if disenrollment accelerates. 5. Hospitals are encouraged to focus on Medicaid enrollment assistance, expand preventive care services for the uninsured, and prepare for cost reductions or increase payer reimbursement elsewhere to offset the revenue declines. n 12 fastest-growing healthcare jobs by 2034 By Kelly Gooch T he U.S. is expected to add 5.2 million jobs from 2024 to 2034, with healthcare and social assistance projected to see the largest job growth and be the fastest-growing industry sector in terms of employment at 8.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Growth in healthcare and social assistance is expected to be driven by the aging population and the rising prevalence of chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, the BLS said. Here are the healthcare occupations with the highest projected employment growth rates by 2034: • Nurse practitioners – 40% • Medical and health services managers – 23% • Physical therapist assistants – 22% • Physician assistants – 20% • Psychiatric technicians – 20% • Ophthalmic medical technicians – 20% • Occupational therapy assistants – 19% • Hearing aid specialists – 18% • Health specialties teachers, postsecondary – 17% • Home health and personal care aides – 17% • Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary – 17% • Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors – 17% n