Patients across New York are struggling to afford medical care. Rising hospital costs are a big reason why.
For years, Medicare and other insurers have paid hospital-owned facilities far more than independent physician practices for identical care. If lawmakers are serious about tackling healthcare affordability, they need to address this discrepancy.
A routine procedure performed in a hospital-owned setting can cost patients and taxpayers far more than the same service in an independent doctor’s office.
This gap is reshaping our healthcare system. Hospitals are using their payment advantage to buy up competing independent practices, who often have little choice but to sell.
Read the full article at The Buffalo News