A study published in the journal JAMA Network Open projected future hospital occupancy rates through 2035, using data collected from August 2020 to April 2024. This analysis factored in national hospitalization rates and official population projections from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Dr. Leuchter warned that if national hospital occupancy surpasses 85 percent, as some studies suggest, the consequences could be severe, potentially leading to tens or even hundreds of thousands of additional deaths each year.

To prevent a hospital bed crisis, authorities may need to implement proactive measures. Possible solutions include preventing hospital bankruptcies and closures through adjustments to reimbursement structures and stricter regulations on private equity involvement in healthcare. Additionally, addressing staffing shortages by tackling provider burnout and expanding healthcare workforce pipelines could be crucial steps.

Looking ahead, Dr. Leuchter stressed the importance of innovative care delivery models that can reduce hospital admissions by redirecting patients to specialized acute care clinics, ultimately easing the strain on hospital resources.