Community Health’s second quarter income drops on fewer patients

(Reuters) – Community Health Systems Inc reported a sharp decline in second-quarter profit on Monday, hurt by a drop in patient admissions at its hospitals and higher-than-expected bad debts. Total admissions fell 5.1 percent in the quarter, compared with a year ago, the company said. Volumes were especially weak in May and June. Community Health released preliminary results earlier this month, which sent its shares plunging. Monday’s official quarterly results largely matched the preliminary figures. …