Summary
The study examined the association between the size and growth of Latino populations and hospitals’ uncompensated care in California. The study sample consisted of general acute care hospitals in California operating during 2000 and 2010. California hospital data were merged with U.S. Census data for each hospital service area. Spatial analysis, multivariate regression, and fixed-effect models were used.
The authors found a significant association between the growth of California’s Latino population and hospitals' uncompensated care. This association was still significant after they controlled for hospital and community population characteristics. After market characteristics were added into the final model, this relationship became non-significant. Study findings suggest that systematic support is needed in areas with rapid Latino population growth to control hospitals' uncompensated care, especially if Latinos are excluded from or do not respond to the insurance options made available through the Affordable Care Act. Improving availability of resources for hospitals and providers in areas with high Latino population growth could help alleviate financial pressures.