Montana hospitals raise financial concerns amid pandemic

MISSOULA, Mont. (Missoulian) — Montana hospitals have canceled or reduced elective surgeries to make room for coronavirus patients, cutting revenue and triggering furloughs and layoffs at medical facilities across the state.

The Missoulian reports that the Montana Hospital Association has estimated that canceling pre-scheduled procedures could cost state hospitals up to $100 million after the first three weeks of the pandemic.

Association CEO Rich Rasmussen says Congress provided financial support to hospitals across the country, but the $111 million that Montana hospitals would receive does not meet the state's needs.

Health care providers are only eligible for funds if they have 500 or fewer employees, and several state hospitals are not eligible.