Hospital services comprise the largest share of health care expenditures. Studying hospital economic and financial performance is essential as a means of containing health care cost and maintaining hospital solvency. Hospital economic and financial performance can be examined based on the type of ownership (e.g., for-profit, not-for-profit, and the conversion of hospitals from non-profit ownership to for-profit status). This book presents a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between hospital ownership, location, and other economic and non economic factors that influence hospital performance and utilization. The book provides a useful guide for hospital managers and executives,investment bankers, legislators, and policy makers. The book is recommended as a supplementary text for undergraduate and graduate courses in health economics and finance, as well as for health policy and international health.