Hospital Mergers in the New York Area Bring Cost Fears

[hrmjustin]

JOSH DAWSEY

Hospital takeovers are surging in the New York region, raising concerns that health costs could climb and care could change.

In New York state, at least a dozen hospitals, many of them financially ailing, have become part of larger networks since 2011, according to the state Department of Health. More than a dozen have new owners or new affiliations in New Jersey during the same period as well.

"The most dangerous place to be these days is a stand-alone hospital," said Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer of North Shore-LIJ Health System, which has 16 hospitals in the New York area—and is currently negotiating with two other Westchester facilities.


http://online.wsj.com/articles/hospital-mergers-in-the-new-york-area-bring-cost-fears-1407201110

[hrmjustin]

1. Western New York is on the low end for hospital charges, study finds

http://www.buffalonews.com/business/western-new-york-is-on-the-low-end-for-hospital-charges-study-finds-20140804