![Rick Pollack, American Hospital Association CEO and President standing in front of United States flag and the AHA seal.](/sites/default/files/2022-04/AT-Rick-Pollack-Perspective-2022-News-900x400.jpg)
U.S. hospitals and health systems in September experienced their ninth consecutive month of negative operating margins, according to the report released yesterday by Kaufman Hall. Median operating margins were down 46% in September compared to a year ago, driven by declining revenues and discharges as sicker patients and labor shortages in post-acute care increased average length of stay, according to data from over 900 hospitals.