HCA Healthcare and Tenet Decline Following GOP Plan to Reduce Medicare Hospital Funding
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Source: SeekingAlpha
Healthcare Stocks Decline: HCA Healthcare, Tenet Healthcare, and Universal Health Services saw their stock prices drop following reports of potential Medicare payment cuts for hospitals as part of a Republican healthcare reform plan.
Proposed Medicare Changes: The proposal suggests that Medicare would reimburse healthcare providers equally for services, regardless of whether they are delivered in a hospital or an office, which hospitals argue is unfair due to their higher overhead costs.
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Analyst Views on HCA
Wall Street analysts forecast HCA stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for HCA is 491.89 USD with a low forecast of 420.00 USD and a high forecast of 525.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
19 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 482.530
Low
420.00
Averages
491.89
High
525.00
Current: 482.530
Low
420.00
Averages
491.89
High
525.00
About HCA
HCA Healthcare, Inc. is a health care services company. It owns, manages or operates hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), freestanding emergency care facilities, urgent care facilities, walk-in clinics, diagnostic and imaging centers, radiation and oncology therapy centers, comprehensive rehabilitation and physical therapy centers, hospices, and various other facilities. Its general, acute care hospitals provide a full range of services to accommodate such medical specialties as internal medicine, general surgery, cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery, orthopedics and obstetrics, as well as diagnostic and emergency services. Its behavioral hospitals provide a full range of mental health care services through inpatient, partial hospitalization and outpatient settings. It operates approximately 190 hospitals and 2,400 ambulatory sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding emergency rooms, urgent care centers and physician clinics, in 20 states and the United Kingdom.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
HCA Healthcare's 44 Hospitals Ranked Among America's 250 Best Hospitals
- Hospital Ranking Achievement: HCA Healthcare's recognition of 44 hospitals as part of America's 250 Best Hospitals for 2026 highlights its capability to deliver superior medical services across multiple specialties, reinforcing its leadership position in the national healthcare sector.
- Top Hospital List: Among these, three hospitals were named to America's 50 Best Hospitals, including Mission Hospital in North Carolina, HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge in Colorado, and HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in Florida, demonstrating their consistent performance in clinical excellence.
- Strict Evaluation Criteria: The selection criteria require hospitals to be evaluated in at least 21 of 31 Healthgrades procedures and conditions, ensuring that only those in the top 5% for clinical outcomes are recognized, which adds significant value to HCA Healthcare's brand image.
- Commitment to Continuous Improvement: Dr. Randy Fagin, HCA's senior vice president, emphasized that delivering high-quality, patient-centered care is their core mission, and this recognition reflects the dedication and teamwork of caregivers, further enhancing patient trust and satisfaction.
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HCA Healthcare Reports Mixed Q4 2025 Results Amidst Market Pressure
- Revenue Growth Weakness: HCA Healthcare reported total revenues of $19.513 billion for Q4 2025, reflecting a 6.7% year-over-year increase but falling short of the consensus estimate of $19.67 billion, indicating potential challenges in sustaining investor confidence moving forward.
- Earnings Beat Expectations: The company reported adjusted earnings of $8.01 per share, a significant increase from $6.22 a year ago, surpassing the consensus estimate of $7.43, suggesting an improvement in core business profitability.
- Cautious 2026 Outlook: HCA forecasts fiscal 2026 earnings between $29.10 and $31.50 per share, slightly below the consensus of $29.54, with projected sales of $76.5 billion to $80 billion, reflecting a cautious stance on future growth.
- Buyback Plan Boosts Confidence: The announcement of a $10 billion share buyback plan, despite market pressures, is seen as a strong signal of confidence in long-term value creation, indicating management's optimistic outlook for future business development.
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