It is absolutely relevant as these hospital networks are gobbling up medical practcies, nursing facilities, and other providers (acute rehab, pt, hospice, etc).
The results are predictable. Prices are going up and medical providers are marketing funnels.
In my little area (Albany-Schenectady-Troy NY), 90% of the providers are now affiliated with two medical systems. One is a former Catholic medical system that was absorbed by a national system and the other is a federation of joint ventures headlined by the local trauma/teaching hospital. 10 years ago, we had 5 networks in the region. Even as an outsider looking in, you can see the monopolist behaviors. Nursing and other medical staff are taking 20% salary haircuts, doctors are forced to sell practices or lose referrals and go out of business, and the quality and costs are not moving the right way.
The results are predictable. Prices are going up and medical providers are marketing funnels.
In my little area (Albany-Schenectady-Troy NY), 90% of the providers are now affiliated with two medical systems. One is a former Catholic medical system that was absorbed by a national system and the other is a federation of joint ventures headlined by the local trauma/teaching hospital. 10 years ago, we had 5 networks in the region. Even as an outsider looking in, you can see the monopolist behaviors. Nursing and other medical staff are taking 20% salary haircuts, doctors are forced to sell practices or lose referrals and go out of business, and the quality and costs are not moving the right way.