The
organization of the American hospital sector is, however, one of the most complex in the world with a heterogeneous collection of
hospitals, payers and funding methods.[15] In 1998, 28% of
hospitals were classified as public (state or local government)
hospitals, 58% as private, not-for-profit
hospitals and 14% as private for-profit
hospitals.[16] Financing for
hospital services comes from a number of private insurers, out-of-p
...[+++]ocket costs and from the Medicaid and Medicare programs.[17]