Editor’s Note: AARP has quoted a hospital executive as stating that consolidation is often necessary for survival:
“Rick Hudson, Wilson’s chief executive …… thinks the hospital may not survive if it remains independent. ” It would be malpractice on my part as the CEO not to do what I can to make this hospital thrive and grow.”
AARP goes on to state that price increases follow hospital consolidation, recognizing however that the increases are also associated with increased patient care.
There is also an underlying theme in the article that insurers are light on bargaining power; an observation that many of our consumer readers would challenge, and in some instances, challenge quite forcefully.