Ascension, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic health systems, reported improved operating performance for the nine months ended March 31, 2026, as same-facility revenue growth and stabilizing patient volumes helped narrow operating losses. The health system posted a recurring operating loss of $166 million, compared with a $381 million loss during the same period in fiscal 2025, while recurring operating margin improved to negative 0.9% from negative 2.0%. Net income excluding noncontrolling interests reached $621 million for the period.
Ascension said its same-facility total operating revenue increased by $1.5 billion, or 9.3%, year over year, driven by higher net patient service revenue, improved reimbursement rates, and increased patient acuity. Same-facility net patient service revenue rose 9.2%, while equivalent discharges increased 0.3% and inpatient surgery visits increased 1.5%. Emergency room visits declined 0.4%, reflecting broader national utilization trends during the respiratory virus season.
The St. Louis-based system continued to execute a multiyear portfolio optimization strategy that included divestitures, hospital transitions, and ambulatory expansion initiatives. In 2025, it acquired Cedar Park Regional Medical Center in Texas from Community Health Systems for $575 million, and said it anticipates closing its acquisition of AmSurg Corp. later this year.
Ascension reported that same-facility operating expenses increased 5.7%, primarily due to higher patient acuity, wage investments, and specialty service growth, though those increases were offset by stronger revenue performance. Salaries, wages and benefits rose 3.3% year over year, while the system cited lower reliance on agency staffing and improved nurse retention. Average length of stay declined 1.5% despite a 2.7% increase in patient acuity.
Ascension operates 90 consolidated hospitals across 16 states and the District of Columbia, with interests in 29 additional hospitals and 22 senior living facilities. As of March 31, 2026, the system employed approximately 97,300 associates and worked with 25,300 aligned providers.
