‘Unsustainable’ Squeeze Grips U.S. Hospitals on Covid Labor Cost

Hospitals are starting to emerge from the worst of Covid-19, but one consequence has persisted: They still have to pay workers more.

HCA Healthcare Inc. and Universal Health Services Inc., two of the largest U.S. for-profit hospital chains, each warned this month that the price of labor could continue to eat into their profits. While executives say costs should eventually subside as Covid dies down, by how much and when remains to be seen.

Wages have gone up for hospital workers across the board, according to Aaron Wesolowski, vice president of policy at the American Hospital Association, particularly ...