Which of the following correctly describes hospital bed availability after WWII?

The period following World War II saw significant changes in the healthcare landscape, particularly with regard to hospital bed availability. The correct answer highlights that funding played a crucial role in increasing the number of community hospital beds during this time.

With the GI Bill and increased federal funding for healthcare, there was a concerted effort to expand medical facilities to accommodate the growing population and the increasing demand for healthcare services. This influx of funds allowed for the construction of new hospitals and the expansion of existing ones, resulting in a rise in community hospital bed capacity.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the trends during this period. The assertion that there was "no increase in hospital bed availability" negates the obvious expansion driven by funding and government initiatives. Claiming that the number of community hospital beds "decreased substantially" overlooks the substantial growth in bed availability during the post-war era, as hospitals were built or expanded to cater to the health needs of returning veterans and a growing population. Lastly, stating that "for-profit hospitals exceeded non-profit hospitals in bed numbers" does not capture the overall trend, which at the time still favored non-profit hospitals, especially in the community setting.

Thus, the assertion that funding led to increased community hospital beds accurately encapsulates