U.S. hospitals get lift from surge in Medicaid sign-ups

By Susan Kelly CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. hospitals are getting a stronger-than-expected benefit from a new influx of low-income patients whose bills are paid by the government's Medicaid program, raising their profit forecasts as a result. The growing numbers of Medicaid patients helped hospital operator HCA Holdings Inc, the largest for-profit chain, post stronger earnings in the second quarter than initially forecast. Notably fewer uninsured patients came through its doors, HCA said, as millions of Americans signed up for private health insurance under President Barack Obama's healthcare law. "In general, Medicaid is the real driver of increases in insured populations," said Snow Capital Management analyst Jessica Bemer.



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