Economics of Healthcare A Brief Introduction

Chapter 9 explores the hospital as an economic entity. The chapter discusses the differences between for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals, the organization of hospital workforces, and how the for-profit/not-for-profit distinction interacts with the organization. Then the chapter explores how different parties involved with the hospital seek to exert influence over how hospital resources are used: what they want and how they get it. Finally, the chapter covers topics in how hospitals operate within the sector: hospital growth, hospital competition, and operation of hospital systems.