NORRISTOWN, PA — MRO warned that U.S. healthcare providers are entering a period of profound disruption as new federal policies, regulatory pressure, and rising costs collide, placing unprecedented strain on care delivery and financial stability.
In its newly released 2026 State of the Industry: Navigating Health Policy and Market Shifts With Smarter Data report, MRO paints a forward-looking picture of an industry reshaped by legislative upheaval, tighter enforcement of data rules, and mounting economic uncertainty. The report draws on original surveys of healthcare executives and consumers, combined with policy and market analysis, to assess how organizations are preparing for what lies ahead.
At the center of the analysis is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which healthcare leaders expect to significantly affect Medicaid revenue and operating margins. According to the report, 72% of executives surveyed expressed concern about the law’s impact on their organizations, with many already revising care delivery models and operational strategies to adapt.
“The healthcare industry is entering a pivotal moment,” said Jason Brown, chief executive officer of MRO. He said policy shifts, financial pressure, and rising patient expectations are converging at a scale not seen in years, forcing organizations to rethink how they operate. Brown added that providers treating clinical data as a strategic asset, rather than simply a compliance obligation, will be better positioned to protect margins and maintain patient trust.
The report also highlights intensified federal scrutiny around interoperability and privacy, as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services ramp up enforcement tied to data sharing and patient access. Nearly one-third of health IT leaders surveyed said fragmented systems remain a major obstacle to interoperability, reinforcing the need for centralized and secure clinical data management.
Value-based care continues to expand despite the turbulence. More than 60% of healthcare organizations increased participation in value-based care programs in 2025, and more than a quarter of hospital and health system leaders plan further expansion as policy and financial pressures mount. The report emphasizes that reliable, high-quality clinical data is critical to sustaining those models.
Patients, meanwhile, are growing increasingly anxious. Nearly two-thirds of consumers surveyed said they are concerned about rising out-of-pocket costs tied to tariffs, and 74% believe those pressures could undermine their provider’s ability to deliver quality care. MRO said those perceptions could influence where and when patients seek care, adding another layer of risk for providers.
Across all scenarios, the report identifies clinical data as a key source of resilience. Eighty-one percent of organizations surveyed said they plan to use clinical data to inform or evaluate strategic decisions, from reducing administrative burden and supporting research to strengthening patient confidence.
“As healthcare leaders plan for what comes next, data will be the difference between reactive change and intentional strategy,” said Matt Wildman, MRO’s chief commercial officer.
The full 2026 State of the Industry report is available at https://mrocorp.com/feature-articles/2026-state-of-the-industry/.
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