Hospital Building Boom Sparks Worry Cities Will Be Left Behind

November 22, 2006

A building boom under way in the U.S. hospital industry is sparking concern about economic and geographic disparities in health care. Much of the construction is occurring in fast-growing suburbs, as hospitals target the most affluent, insured patients who can afford to pay for top care. At the same time, many urban hospitals — which often treat poorer people — are struggling financially, and scores have had to shut their doors. (Wall Street Journal [subscription required])