Hospitals Could Lose $500-Million in Federal Funds

Hospitals nationwide could lose half a billion dollars in federal funding meant to offset the cost of covering the uninsured next year. The loss that will be especially felt in states where lawmakers have decided against expanding Medicaid coverage.

According to rough estimates released Monday by federal health officials, cuts could jump to $4 billion in 2020.

Hospitals around the country that treat a large number of uninsured residents rely on federal funds to offset costs.  But the Affordable Care Act assumes more residents will have health insurance and that hospitals will treat a smaller number of uninsured patients.

Texas hospitals could lose more than $56 million next year, those in Pennsylvania could lose nearly $34 million and Missouri's could lose about $26 million.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)