This blog series features stories involving congenital heart disease and the law. The blog posts may discuss contemporary or historical court decisions, laws or regulations, or other legal issues that relate directly or indirectly to CHD. These posts are purely for entertainment and educational purposes and are not legal advice. Any opinions expressed in this series of posts are solely those of the author and do not represent the Adult Congenital Heart Association.
This is the second part in a two-part series about hospital mergers; the first part can be read here.
Adults with congenital heart defects are big users of our nation’s healthcare system. We have more surgeries and procedures, go for more check-ups, and require more frequent and complex testing. And if the healthcare market lacks healthy competition, healthcare costs skyrocket—as do insurance premiums, deductibles, and copayments. As I saw firsthand with my hospital, the antitrust laws don’t only regulate theoretical pants megastores but also regulate hospitals and the entire healthcare industry.
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