Nonprofit hospitals and health systems are expected to continue their modest margin improvements through the end of 2025 and into 2026, though “systemwide operating margins may never recover to pre-pandemic levels” amid macroeconomic pressures and the longer-term threat of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s (OBBBA’s) changes to reimbursement and coverage. That’s the top-line read from Fitch Ratings’ 2026 outlook for the sector. The agency forecast a median operating margin between 1% and 2% while noting largely healthy volume trends and strong balance sheets.
Read the full article: Nonprofit Hospital Sector to Notch Modest Margin Gains in 2026 as Systems Tighten up Ahead of Medicaid Cuts: Fitch //
Source: https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/nonprofit-hospital-sector-notch-modest-margin-gains-2026-systems-tighten-ahead-medicaid