Which type of hospital is owned by a corporation and exists to generate profit?

The type of hospital owned by a corporation and designed to generate profit is the proprietary hospital. Proprietary hospitals are typically privately owned and operated for profit, distinguishing them from other types of hospitals. Unlike government-operated hospitals, which are funded by taxpayer money, or not-for-profit hospitals, which reinvest any surplus earnings back into the facility for improvements and community services, proprietary hospitals focus primarily on generating revenue for their owners.

Academic medical centers, while often affiliated with universities and involving extensive medical education and research, do not inherently exist to make a profit in the same way proprietary hospitals do. Their focus lies more on education, research, and comprehensive patient care rather than profitability alone. Hence, proprietary hospitals are characterized by their corporate ownership structure and emphasis on profit generation.