Health care financing issues of the 1990s

This article relates the financial environment of health care organizations to financial issues of the 1990s. The authors examine how macrotrends are likely to affect changes in operating expenses and operating revenues. The analysis suggests that cost increases are likely to exceed the general rate of inflation; however, revenue increases are less certain. The latter conclusion is based on the assumption that the control of health care expenditures will continue to be a high priority in the private and public sectors. In the remainder of the article, the authors focus on key financial issues confronting hospitals, nursing homes and health maintenance organizations.