Hospital PPI rises 0.2% in April

Wholesale acute-care hospital prices increased 0.2% in April after edging up 0.1% the prior month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics index of producer prices. The figures are preliminary. In April 2010, the acute-care hospital index was flat. For the 12-month period ended in April, the preliminary figures show a relatively modest increase of 1.5% compared with 3.5% a year ago.

Physician office wholesale prices declined 0.1% in April after a 0.2% gain in March, according to preliminary figures. The Producer Price Index for physicians increased 0.1% in April 2010. During the 12-month period ended in April, the index increased 1.6% compared with 2.5% a year ago.