Final answer:
The number of investor-owned hospitals has increased over the past ten years, while the number of traditional not-for-profit community hospitals has diminished.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true. Over the past ten years, there has been an increase in the number of investor-owned hospitals, while the number of traditional not-for-profit community hospitals has diminished. This trend can be attributed to various factors such as changes in healthcare financing, market competition, and consolidation of healthcare providers.
For example, the market revolution and healthcare policies have led to increased privatization and corporate ownership of hospitals. Investor-owned hospitals are typically driven by profit motives and may focus on generating revenue from procedures and specialty services. On the other hand, traditional not-for-profit community hospitals often serve the community's healthcare needs, regardless of profitability.
It's important to note that while the number of traditional not-for-profit community hospitals may have diminished, this does not mean that access to healthcare services has necessarily declined. Other types of healthcare providers and facilities, such as outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, and telemedicine services, have emerged to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the population.