HCA Holdings Inc. SWOT Analysis
Health care is one of the most dynamic and changing businesses
Strengths
Health Corporation reports one main strength that keeps them one of the leaders in healthcare providers is, their "strategic acquisitions have helped HCA in enhancing its network of hospitals and customer base in the US" (HCA Holdings, Inc. SWOT Analysis, 2013, pp.4-5). As of December 31, 2013 HCA operated 165 hospitals offering acute care, rehabilitation and psychiatric services, in addition 115 surgical freestanding facilities (HCA Holdings, Inc., 2013). Through increasing growth of diverse medical needs HCA appeals to the main stakeholder the patients by offering many accessible facilities.
Weaknesses
In a SWOT analysis completed by HCA Holdings Inc. in July 2013 they identify indebtedness leading to decreasing financial flexibility as a leading weakness. As with many healthcare providers debt to income ratio can be difficult, due to unpaid hospital bills and operational expenses of running a hospital. Healthcare reform and Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) are two factors that can influence this weakness. According to U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (n.d.), "Americans without insurance coverage will be able to choose the insurance coverage that works best for them in a new open, competitive insurance market" (The Affordable Care Act), thus increasing insurance coverage to most Americans therefore aiding in increased profits. CMS is another example of an external stakeholder and they have "implemented or is implementing a number of programs and requirements intended to transform Medicare from a passive payer to an active purchaser of quality goods and services. For example, hospitals receive a 2% reduction to their market basket updates if they fail to submit data for patient care quality indicators to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services", this as according to HCA Holdings, Inc. (2013). It is...