Oct 24 (Reuters) -

HCA Healthcare ( HCA ) lifted its 2025 profit forecast on

Friday as it expects sustained demand for medical procedures to

cushion a hit from U.S. President Donald Trump's shifting trade

policies.

Hospital operators are expected to benefit from higher

utilization this year as patients covered by Obamacare

individual insurance plans make use of their benefits ahead of

expected changes in 2026.

Some COVID-era subsidies under individual Affordable

Care Act (Obamacare) plans are set to lapse in 2026, which would

lead patients to accelerate elective procedures, preventive care

visits and diagnostic services while their insurance is still

affordable.

The company expects 2025 adjusted profit per share to be

between $27 and $28, compared with its previous forecast of

$25.50 to $27 per share.

HCA earned adjusted profit of $6.96 per share for the third

quarter, compared with analysts' estimate of $5.72 per share,

according to data compiled by LSEG.