Tessa Quinn
There are approximately 6,120 hospitals in the United States, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). Of these, 5,618 are private, non-government-owned or operated hospitals. Private hospitals are defined as those not owned by the government, including for-profit and non-profit hospitals. Non-federal psychiatric hospitals, for example, are privately operated facilities that focus on treating individuals with mental health disorders. The number of hospitals in the US has been influenced by privatization, with public control of hospitals declining by 42% from 1983 to 2019.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of hospitals in the US | 6,120 |
| Total number of private hospitals in the US | 1,060 (as per 2014 data) or 5,618 (as per 2025 data) |
| Percentage of private hospitals in the US | 17.3% (as per 2014 data) or 8.5% (as per 2025 data) |
| Number of public hospitals in the US | 2,904 (as per 2014 data) or 4,500 (as per 2020 data) |
| Percentage of public hospitals in the US | 47.5% (as per 2014 data) or 73.5% (as per 2020 data) |
| Number of community hospitals in the US | 3,510 |
| Number of urban community hospitals in the US | 3,319 |
| Number of rural community hospitals in the US | 1,810 |
| Number of general acute care hospitals in the US | 4,500 (as per 2020 data) |
| Number of private non-profit hospitals in the US | 3,600 (as per 2020 data) |
| Number of for-profit hospitals in the US | 900 (as per 2020 data) |
| Number of hospitals in Texas | 108 |
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What You'll Learn
There are 6,120 hospitals in the US, 1,060 are private
There are approximately 6,120 hospitals in the United States, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). Of these, 1,060 are private, for-profit or non-profit hospitals. The number of hospitals in the US has increased since 2014, when the AHA Annual Survey reported a total of 5,686 hospitals.
The US healthcare system includes a variety of hospital types, with most hospitals classified as community hospitals. There are also specialized hospitals for women, children, and cancer patients. Some hospitals are government-owned, while others are private. Private hospitals are defined as those not owned by the government, and they are funded by patients, insurers, or foreign embassies. Non-federal psychiatric hospitals are an example of privately-operated facilities, providing specialized care for mental health disorders outside of federal administration.
The number of private hospitals has been increasing over time. A study of US hospital privatization from 1983 to 2019 showed a 42% decline in public control of hospitals. As of 2020, around 80% of the approximately 4,500 general acute care hospitals in the US were controlled by private, non-profit, or for-profit organizations. Private equity firms have been increasingly acquiring hospitals, with Texas having the highest number of private equity-owned hospitals at 108 facilities.
The shift towards privatization has had mixed effects. While it may lead to increased efficiency, it can also negatively impact low-income patients. A study found that formerly government-run hospitals admitted 15% fewer Medicaid patients after privatization due to low reimbursement rates, while admissions of patients with Medicare coverage remained relatively unchanged.
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Private hospitals are not owned by the government
There are approximately 6,120 hospitals in the United States, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). Of these, 2,904 are public hospitals, and 1,060 are private. Private hospitals are not owned by the government and include for-profit and non-profit hospitals. Funding for private hospitals comes from patients themselves ("self-pay"), insurers, or foreign embassies. Non-federal psychiatric hospitals are an example of privately-operated healthcare facilities that are distinct from federal government-run institutions. These hospitals provide specialized psychiatric care, including therapy and medication management, and cater to patients with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Private hospitals are a common part of most healthcare systems worldwide, although their inclusion varies. In the United Kingdom, for example, private hospitals are separate from National Health Service (NHS) institutions. However, many NHS hospitals offer some privately funded care in Private Patient Units (PPUs) and are considered private hospitals for competition law purposes. As of December 2018, the UK had an estimated 556 hospitals providing privately funded care, with over 9,000 beds.
In New York City, there are 126 hospitals, 32 of which are proprietary or profit-making, 75 are voluntary hospitals operated by private groups on a non-profit basis, and 19 are municipal hospitals run by the city's Health and Hospitals Corporation. A network of 8,000 medical facilities named Putian was described in 2018 as having "little government oversight." This network has attracted investments from American financial firms, including Sequoia Capital and Morgan Stanley.
The number of hospitals in a person's vicinity is essential knowledge as it influences access to healthcare services, emergency support, and the choice of health insurance plans based on hospital network coverage. Hospitals in the United States can be highly specialized, with some focusing on women's health, others on pediatric care, and still, others dedicated to oncology, treating individuals with cancer. Understanding the differences between hospitals is crucial for patients to find the right hospital that meets their specific needs.
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Non-federal psychiatric hospitals are privately operated
In the United States, there are about 6,120 hospitals, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). Of these, 1,060 are private hospitals, as per the 2014 AHA Annual Survey.
Psychiatric hospitals are licensed and operated as either state/public psychiatric hospitals or state-licensed private psychiatric hospitals. They primarily provide 24-hour inpatient care for individuals with mental illnesses. These hospitals may also offer 24-hour residential care, outpatient care, or partial hospitalization, although these additional services are not mandatory. Psychiatric hospitals are subject to annual inspections by staff, including nurses and public health advisors, to ensure compliance with regulations.
In the context of underutilization of psychiatric hospital beds, private psychiatric hospitals play a crucial role in addressing the growing need for inpatient psychiatric treatment. By increasing the utilization of privately operated hospitals, there could be a reduction in the reliance on state hospitals, leading to shorter waitlists for individuals requiring timely psychiatric care.
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Public control of hospitals declined by 42% from 1983 to 2019
There are approximately 6,120 hospitals in the United States, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). This number includes non-federal, short-term, acute care hospitals. The AHA further breaks down the number of hospitals in the US by category: there are 3,510 community hospitals, 3,319 urban community hospitals, and 1,810 rural community hospitals.
The number of private hospitals in the US is not readily available. However, according to the 2014 AHA Annual Survey, there were 1,060 private hospitals out of a total of 5,686 hospitals in the US. Additionally, non-federal psychiatric hospitals are privately operated facilities specializing in treating individuals with mental health disorders.
Public control of hospitals in the US has been declining. According to American Hospital Association data, public control of hospitals declined by 42% from 1983 to 2019 as hospitals either closed or were taken over by private interests. As of 2020, around 80% of the 4,500 general acute care hospitals in the US are controlled by private non-profit or for-profit organizations.
The shift from public to private ownership in hospitals has had notable impacts. Researchers from Stanford University, including Mark Duggan from the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, studied the effects of hospital privatization. They found that privatization improves profitability but reduces access for vulnerable patients, particularly those on Medicaid, the nation's public insurance program for low-income residents. The study analyzed nearly 260 privatizations of hospitals run by state and local governments between 2000 and 2018. It was observed that admissions declined at newly private hospitals, and while neighboring hospitals absorbed most displaced patients, this was not the case for low-income patients. Overall, the total number of patients admitted to newly privatized hospitals fell by 8.5%, and job losses were also significant, with an average decrease of 8% in full-time hospital staff.
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Private equity firms own 8.5% of private hospitals
There are approximately 6,120 hospitals in the United States, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). Of these, 5,618 are private, non-government-owned or operated hospitals. Private equity ownership of hospitals has drawn scrutiny in recent years, with critics arguing that the drive for profits can negatively impact patients, doctors, and healthcare quality. As of March 2025, private equity firms owned or operated about 8.5% of private hospitals, or 488 hospitals.
Private equity companies often conduct "roll-ups" by acquiring multiple companies in the healthcare industry and merging them. While this allows them to benefit from economies of scale, it has been associated with increased healthcare prices for private insurance and public healthcare programs. Additionally, private equity firms often charge substantial management or advisory fees to their portfolio companies, which can divert funds away from hospital operations and into the pockets of investors.
The largest private equity owner and operator of hospitals is Apollo Global Management, with at least 235 locations through its health systems Lifepoint Health and ScionHealth. Other prominent private equity firms in healthcare include Blackstone Group, The Carlyle Group, KKR & Co., and Warburg Pincus. These firms have collectively invested over $340 billion in healthcare-related acquisitions worldwide in the past decade.
Private equity ownership of hospitals has sparked debates about its impact on healthcare. Critics argue that the profit motive can conflict with patient welfare and that private equity acquisitions have led to reduced due process rights for medical professionals. On the other hand, private equity investment can bring efficiencies and business expertise to healthcare operations. The complex dynamics between profit, patient care, and industry consolidation in the healthcare sector remain a subject of ongoing discussion and scrutiny.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 6,120 hospitals in the United States.
According to the 2014 American Hospital Association Annual Survey, there are 1,060 private hospitals in the United States.
A private hospital is a hospital not owned by the government, including for-profit and non-profit hospitals.
Some of the biggest hospital chains in the US are private equity-owned, including Lifepoint Health and Ardent Health Services.
Yes, hospitals in the US can be very specialized. Some hospitals focus on treating women, while others focus on treating children. There are also oncology-focused hospitals that treat individuals with cancer.
