Abstract
Business is good, and is likely to get better, for those whose occupation is hospital construction. Despite skepticism among many analysts, the demand for hospital beds and services will remain strong as the baby boom generation heads toward retirement. The CMS still expects the hospital spending growth rate to decline in 2003. That decline will be shortlived. A confluence of factors that drive the demand for hospital services will continue to exert inexorable upward pressure on utilization. The aging of the boomers is only one of many factors that will bring this about. A top 10 list of reasons why hospitals will continue to expand capacity is provided.