Research Report
November 2006
Cheryl Fahlman, Laurie E. Felland, Michelle I. Banker, Allison Liebhaber, Deborah Chollet, Gilbert Gimm
The proliferation of medical specialty centers (MSCs) has raised concern about their potential impact on full-service general hospitals. This report for the Wyoming Health Care Commission provides a snapshot of the status and financial performance of for-profit and not-for-profit general hospitals in Wyoming, estimates likelihood of an MSC locating in a particular market based on the characteristics of that market, and summarizes policy implications. Researchers found that the strongest predictors of the likelihood that an MSC would emerge in a market area are population level and the number of for-profit hospitals. MSCs tend to emerge in areas with greater populations because the patient base and demand for services is likely to be greater.
A copy of the report can be accessed at the Wyoming Health Care Commission’s Web site by clicking here.