Hospitals warn of shortages, closures without emergency aid

U.S. hospitals are warning that they are so strapped for cash that, without some financial relief, they will be unable to meet their payrolls in a matter of weeks and some could be forced to close just as coronavirus cases are surging.

The American Hospital Association and three hospital chief executives spanning the country said in a conference call Saturday that a federal directive this week urging the cancellation of elective procedures — to conserve scarce resources for coronavirus patients — is halting the type of services that produce the most revenue.