September 5, 2025
Article: Why This System is Investing in a ‘Loss-leading’ Service Many Hospitals are Abandoning
Since joining North Kansas City, MO – based NKC Health in 2021, Senior Vice President and CFO Austin Jones has steered the organization through a 40% growth in net patient service revenue and he’s not afraid to invest in areas many hospitals are abandoning.
One of those investments is labor and delivery care, a loss-leading service for many hospitals, particularly in rural areas, where nearly 40% report losses on obstetrics programs. But at NKC Health, the decision to maintain and strengthen these offerings reflects a broader, community-first mission, and one Mr. Jones says is already yielding returns.
That commitment aligns with a broader transformation: North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health recently united under the NKC Health brand to improve care coordination, enhance the patient experience and strengthen the system’s regional presence. NKC Health comprises the 451-bed North Kansas City Hospital, 35 care facilities and a workforce of more than 4,700 – including 600 physicians.
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