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US: Industry, regulators see troubling trends with hospital mergers

By  |  October 7, 2014

A recent study shows that prices generally increase following a merger between hospitals, according to reports.

Catalyst for Payment Reform released a study that found hospital industry prices have increased by 3 percent in recent years due to various mergers, and that some hospital systems hike prices even more following the consummation of a tie-up.

Catalyst for Payment Reform executive director Suzanne Delbanco explored the study’s findings and noted that “when mergers happen in already concentrated markets, price increases can exceed 20 percent.”

Federal officials are similarly concerned over this trend, say reports.

The Federal Trade Commission has challenged several major hospital mergers in recent months, including deals in Georgia, Illinois and Ohio.

Full content: Healthcare Drive

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