Working American families are struggling with the high cost of living. Rising health care costs are a major part of the problem. Economic research shows that hospital acquisitions of independent physician practices are driving up health care prices and spending, and reducing physician decision-making autonomy. This limits Americans’ access to health care.
The Progressive Policy Institute’s (PPI’s) new study, Fixing a Broken System: Policy Responses to Hospital Acquisitions of Physician Practices That Limit Health Care Access for U.S. Consumers, unpacks the severity of the loss of independent physician practices in the U.S. and the impact on health care access.
The report concludes that fixing the problem can only be achieved through comprehensive reform that should generate strong bipartisan support. Policies include addressing flawed Medicare reimbursement rules, weak merger enforcement, and state regulations that limit market entry. Other critical policies include restoring physician autonomy in governance and decision-making and improving health care access for rural areas.
Please join us for a briefing on PPI’s report with a Q&A session to follow. Coffee and breakfast will be provided.
Rayburn House Office Building
Room 2060
45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20515
