In order to reverse a downward trend in occupancy rates, many hospitals are now turning to advertising and are also offering, for an extra fee, new amenities such as gourmet meals, luxury rooms, and valet parking.

Which of the following, if it were the reason that the beds in the hospitals involved were being left empty, would increase the likelihood that the marketing techniques mentioned above would be effective?

(A) The population of the areas around the hospitals is generally healthier than in the past.
(B) Hospital costs are prohibitively high for many people.
(C) Patients have been choosing other hospitals offering better amenities than those previously available in the hospitals involved.
(D) Many medical procedures that once required hospitalization are now done in doctors' offices or in clinics with limited facilities.
(E) The hospitals involved do not offer important medical services that are available elsewhere.

(A) The population of the areas around the hospitals is generally healthier than in the past. - Incorrect: Irrelevant
(B) Hospital costs are prohibitively high for many people. - Incorrect: Opposite
(C) Patients have been choosing other hospitals offering better amenities than those previously available in the hospitals involved. - Correct
(D) Many medical procedures that once required hospitalization are now done in doctors' offices or in clinics with limited facilities. - Incorrect: Irrelevant
(E) The hospitals involved do not offer important medical services that are available elsewhere. - Incorrect: Opposite
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