Report: Oversight Of Hospital Mergers Severely Lacking Even As Mega-Chains Become New Norm
MergerWatch found that only eight states and the District of Columbia mandate regulatory review when hospitals enter into more informal partnerships rather than full-scale mergers. The hospitals, the report says, are doing what makes sense business wise, but that leaves the patients with very little protection.
ProPublica:
Who Makes Sure Hospital Mergers Do No Harm? Almost Nobody.
Mergers have become commonplace as hospital mega-chains increasingly dominate the American health-care market. But these deals often go unscrutinized by state regulators, who fail to address potential risks to patients losing access to care, according to a new report released today. MergerWatch, which analyzes the hospital industry and opposes faith-based health care restrictions, surveyed health care statutes and regulations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It found that only 10 states require government review before hospital facilities and services can be shut down. Only eight states and the District of Columbia mandate regulatory review when hospitals enter into more informal partnerships rather than full-scale mergers, closing a loophole that exists in other states for deals to pass with minimal state oversight. (Lee 6/9)