Healthcare industry

Driven by the expansion of the U.S. federal government’s Medicaid program, spending by states in fiscal 2015 rose to its highest rate in 23 years, according to report released by the National Association of Budget Officers on Thursday.

The Nov. 10 agreement between the town of Morristown, N.J., and Atlantic Health System on Morristown Medical Center property tax appeals could have a "ripple effect" for no-for-profit hospitals across the U.S., according to Moody's Investors Service.

Already endangered by state and federal spending cuts, many rural hospitals in Texas are facing additional strain from falling oil and gas prices.

Moody’s Investors Service has revised the University of Chicago Medical Center's outlook to stable from negative thanks to two years of stronger operating margins.

Rating upgrades overlook rural and secondary markets with high unemployment and aging demographics that will continue to challenge hospitals in those markets.

Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System will acquire Allegiance Health, a union that offers benefits for both in what marks the latest in an ongoing wave of healthcare consolidations.