Department of Business Economics and Public Policy, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, National Bureau of Economic Research, USA
Research Article
Asymmetric Accounting Performances and Labor Adjustments in the U.S. for-Profit Skilled Nursing Facilities, 1998-2014
Author(s): Haizhen Lin and Ayung Tseng*
Background: Studies have documented the positive relationship between skilled nursing facilities’ staff level and patient outcomes or quality. However, less attention has been paid to supply-side frictions; for example, SNF’s ability to retain employees during economic downturns.
Objective: We first validate whether SNFs’ accounting performances present asymmetric patterns due to accountants’ conservative judgments. Next, we examine whether SNFs exhibit asymmetric labor adjustments. If accounting performances are more negative during downturns than their positive counterparts during upturns, SNFs will face greater financial burdens to retain employees during adverse periods.
Methods: Our data is state-audited annual cost reports that SNFs submitted to the CMS from 1998 to 2014. We use county.. View More»