Shares of hospital operator Community Health Systems, Inc. (CYH, Financial) fell in the fourth quarter on an earnings miss driven by lower volumes and deteriorating payor mix. Concerns that the Affordable Care Act tailwind is largely over and leveraged companies will be hurt by rising interest rates also brought out sellers. We think the spinoff of Quorum Health will create value, HMA synergies will exceed initial guidance, record numbers of recruited doctors will boost admissions, more states will expand Medicaid, and deleveraging will strengthen the balance sheet. (Susan Robbins)
From Ron Baron (Trades, Portfolio)'s Growth Fund fourth quarter shareholder letter.
