ARKANSAS, USA — Baptist Health of Little Rock reported an operating loss of $15.7 million in 2024, as the state’s largest health care system saw expenses rise and pandemic relief funding end.
Baptist Health had a $89.4 million operating income in 2023, which was boosted by the receipt of $103.5 million in COVID-19 assistance during the year, according to its financial statements on file with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board of Washington, D.C. In 2024, the nonprofit health system didn’t receive any pandemic relief.
Brent Beaulieu, the system’s chief financial officer, told Arkansas Business that the pandemic relief funds were important for Baptist Health during the public health emergency that ended in May 2023. The government money helped offset the increased costs that Baptist Health incurred related to COVID-19, he said…