Bo Ryall
![Bo Ryall, CEO of the Arkansas Hospital Association, says hospitals continue to struggle in the aftermath of the pandemic. [Steve Lewis]](https://arkansasbusiness.wppcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BoRyall5_opt-300x194.jpg)
ACA Rule Changes Could Lead to Coverage Confusion, Industry Leaders Warn
The proposed changes, along with expiring subsidies, could reduce coverage and strain hospitals and insurance agencies. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
New Roles Announced at Arkansas Federal Credit Union, Simmons Bank & UAMS (Movers & Shakers)
Rodney Showmar and Michael Lamoureux have taken on continued leadership roles, with Showmar staying on the Federal Reserve's advisory council and Lamoureux joining Capitol Counsel as a partner. read more >
Many of Arkansas’ Largest Hospitals Report Losses in 2023 as Financial Struggles Continue
Of the 95 hospitals on Arkansas Business’ list of the state’s largest, 38 reported a net loss, as reimbursements for services failed to keep pace with rising expenses. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Reading The Future: Health Care (40 Years of Arkansas Business)
“I think there could be possibly more mergers or management agreements with hospitals that are facing financial challenges.” said Bo Ryall, President & CEO of the Arkansas Hospital Association. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Baptist Health Battles UnitedHealthcare Over Reimbursement Rates
Baptist, the state’s largest health care provider, says it and other hospital groups have faced “unprecedented” costs to cover wages, supplies and pharmaceuticals since the pandemic, but has seen stingy reimbursement deals from insurers. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
New Hospital Designation Offers Hope in Pocahontas
On Sept. 1, the Pocahontas hospital was the first in the state to receive the newly created Rural Emergency Hospital designation. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Arkansas Hospitals Offer Fewer Places to Give Birth
Some hospitals are closing their obstetric units due to financial struggles, creating “maternity deserts” in Arkansas and beyond. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Hospitals Question UnitedHealthcare’s Rates
Tough negotiations over reimbursement rates prompt another hospital to consider dropping UnitedHealthcare. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Hospitals Report Margins Are Better, but Still Worry
A financial hit could be looming with nearly 220,000 Arkansans having lost their Medicaid coverage since April 1. read more >
Jennifer May-Brust Joins Hall Booth Smith in Rogers (Movers & Shakers)
May-Brust spent a decade in the oil pipeline transportation industry, then was with Walmart Inc. for nearly 18 years. read more >
Hospitals Brace for Another Blow as Thousands Lose Medicaid Eligibility
On April 1, the Arkansas Department of Human Services began reassessing the eligibility of beneficiaries who throughout the pandemic were guaranteed a place in the federal-state health care insurance program for low-income residents. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Condition Critical At Rural Hospitals
The Ouachita County Medical Center in Camden offers prime example of the financial stress hospitals are under since COVID. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Losing Money, Some Arkansas Hospitals Face Closure
As many hospitals struggle financially, the Arkansas Department of Human Services has proposed using $60 million of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act to help keep their doors open. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
It’s Not Over Yet (Lance Turner Editor’s Note)
It can be difficult to determine exactly where we are in this continuing COVID-19 pandemic. read more >
by Lance Turner -
As Hospital Pressures Mount, St. Vincent Faces $75M Loss
Across the country, hospitals and health systems saw negative operating margins in March, the third consecutive month that was the case. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Government Aid Rescues Hospital Financials
Hospitals and medical centers in Arkansas benefited from government relief money last year to offset losses caused by COVID-19. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Calling All Nurses: The Crisis Continues
Hospitals in Arkansas and around the country are desperately seeking nurses to care for a surging number of COVID-19 patients, and providers fear the demand will rise during the upcoming flu season. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Mercy to Require Workers to Get COVID-19 Vaccine
Mercy, which operates hospitals in Fort Smith and Rogers, says it will require workers to be vaccinated for COVID-19, effective Sept. 30. read more >
COVID-19 Slashes UAMS Profits
At the end of February 2020, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock had a surplus of $22 million. But then COVID-19 surfaced. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Nursing Now: Have Scrubs, Will Travel
With some hospitals nearly full with COVID-19 patients, the demand for nurses has soared across the country in recent weeks, as some providers dangle pay packages worth $7,000 a week to attract nurses. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
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