Watchdog warns of risks to patients as private equity’s stake in US healthcare grows

One of the most heavily scrutinized practices of healthcare investors, including in the case of Steward, is the sale-leaseback. In a sale-leaseback, a healthcare provider (often a hospital) sells the property to an REIT. The property is then leased back to the hospital. Sale-leasebacks provide a cash infusion to both partners in the venture, investors and the healthcare business, but have been criticized for saddling hospitals – many of which were built on the public dime – with added expenses…

 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/06/us-private-equity-healthcare-joint-ventures