Hospitals Promised Less Expensive Care After Merging Into Behemoths. The Opposite Happened.
The consolidation of healthcare providers into large hospital systems has not led to the promised reduction in costs. Instead, it has contributed to rising healthcare expenses and decreased competition in the market. Analysts argue that government-created market distortions exacerbate these issues, leading to higher prices for patients.
- ▪An ultrasound costs $164 on average in a doctor's office, compared to $339 in a hospital.
- ▪Just seeing a doctor costs $118 in an independent office versus $186 in a hospital.
- ▪In 2024, one or two health systems controlled the entire market for inpatient care in 47% of U.S. metropolitan areas.
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Analysis Hospitals Promised Less Expensive Care After Merging Into Behemoths. The Opposite Happened. (Photo by Rusty Russell/Getty Images) Ireland Owens Reporter May 17, 2026 1:53 PM ET May 17, 2026 1:53 PM ET Ireland Owens Reporter Font Size: const observer = new MutationObserver((mutations) => { const adDivToHide = document.querySelector("#dailycaller_incontent_1"); if (adDivToHide && dc_noads_page) { adDivToHide.classList.add("hide-premium", "hide-free"); observer.disconnect(); console.log("Ad div found and hidden"); } }); observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true }); A lack of competition in the U.S. healthcare system may be majorly driving up costs nationwide, despite some proponents claiming consolidation would do the opposite.
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