Health Affairs January 8, 2021
Rising health care costs—which are manifested through higher health insurance premiums, increased cost-sharing requirements, and forgone wages—are making it increasingly difficult for many Americans to pay for food, housing, and other necessities. The primary culprit is rising prices in the commercial sector, largely attributed to provider consolidation. The effects of provider consolidation, and thus declining health care affordability, will likely accelerate post-COVID-19 as independent provider groups and hospitals that have suffered major losses during the pandemic are acquired by large health systems or health insurance companies.
Prior to the pandemic, some states had policies in place to control health care prices directly. With provider consolidation likely to continue in the coming months, these policies will become increasingly important to...
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