OMAHA- Hospitals in the state have taken a huge economic hit during the pandemic. The Nebraska State Hospital Association is asking for additional federal funding for the state's hospitals. Directed health measures that temporarily stopped elective procedures greatly impacted hospital's revenue.

In 80% of member hospitals, data shows emergency room visits were down 44% in April from the same month in the year prior. Outpatient surgeries took a hit by 70%. Numbers by June were better, but were still lower than 2019. This means operating margins were down by almost 34% since March.

Andy Hale, the association's VP for advocacy say Nebraskan hospitals have benefited from the federal programs handed down during the pandemic. However, the cash has not covered the increased expenses coronavirus has brought to hospitals. Even without an influx in COVID-19 patients, hospitals have still been affected by the health measures to suspend certain procedures. The pandemic also warded off patients because they were worried about getting the virus from the hospitals.

Before the pandemic even began 53% of Nebraska hospitals were distressed with operating margins of less than 2%. The hospital system in Nebraska still has a lot of recovering to do.

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