Healthy Business

Taking a Healthy Approach to Real Estate

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When it comes to investing in health care, sometimes it's not about medicines and devices.

There are real estate investment trusts(REITS) specializing in the health care sector that invest in property and facilities.

And one of the standout performers of late is Medical Properties Trust , one of the country's largest investors in hospital real estate, which currently has a 7.3 percent yield.

Its chairman and CEO, Edward K. Aldag Jr., told Jim Cramer on CNBC's "Mad Money" program Monday that the REIT has plenty of cash on hand and unlike other REITs "never suffered from a cash flow issue."

The company, which as been active in acquisitions in recent years, now has more than $2.1 billion in assets, inclduing 80 hospital facilities.

"The prospects for 2013 look outstanding," said Aldag.

Aldag ventured into presidential politics, saying: "We're going to have hospitals regardless of whether it's (Mitt) Romney or whether it's (President Barack) Obama, so we're in a very good position throughout the election and beyond."

The company recently had nine of its acute care hospitals operated by three different tenants named among the top quality performers by The Joint Commission, an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies more than 19,000 hospitals and health care organizations.

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