Politico May 21, 2024
CONSOLIDATION FEARS INCREASE — A growing wave of hospital mergers, large firms buying physician practices, pharmacy benefit manager consolidation and private equity’s acquisitions of nursing homes and hospitals are drawing increasing bipartisan scrutiny from Congress.
The House Budget Committee is expected to hold a hearing later this week on “breaking up health care monopolies” — the latest in increased attention from lawmakers concerned that consolidation across the sector is driving up costs for patients as they look to rein in health care spending.
What the trend has meant: Economists testifying before Congress have said that consolidation has led to rising prices and decreased access to care by increasing costs for patients. Research has shown consolidation has driven higher prices in...
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