New York Times
Hospital Mergers Improve Health? Evidence Shows the Opposite
In recent years, the competition among health care organizations has drastically increased. To create a larger chain of hospitals, increasing profit and solving this issue, many hospitals decided to merge. A hospital merger, or consolidation, is defined as the combining of administrative and organizational resources of two or more health care facilities. However, this solution has multiple flaws. Along with raised prices, such consolidation can result in worse health care. Studies show that rates of mortality and of major health setbacks grow when competition falls. In one recent example, two Texas health systems — Baylor Scott & White, and Memorial Hermann Health System — decided to merge. This would create a 68-hospital system. The health care systems have since abandoned the plan, but not before Jim Hinton, Baylor Scott & White’s chief executive, told The Wall Street Journal that “the end, the more important end, is to improve care.” This further proves that the quality of hospital's health care benefits greatly from a smaller- scaled hospital.
1) What would be the benefits of a merger and a chain of hospitals?
2) What is your definition of "quality" health care?
3) Do you think that a larger hospital with more staff can provide better health care than a smaller hospital?
2. My definition of quality healthcare is a healthcare plan which provides me wich medical insurance for simple things like check ups with a doctor. A quality health care should allow me to consult with my doctor when needed to and be able to ask questions. The Health care should allow me to pick my doctor and appointments in a way that fits for me while still letting my solve or cure any diseases.
ReplyDeleteItamar
6th period
Quality health care should prove to make people worry more about going to the doctor than they are worried about paying to go to the doctor.
ReplyDeleteQuality healthcare should ensure that you can be able to get typical checkups and keep track with your health but not having to worry about unnecessary large bills. You should be ensured a good healthcare provider who protects your well-being.
ReplyDelete-London Clark
A plan that provides medical insurance for things like check ups with a doctor is what I believe is a quality healthcare. A quality health care should provide me with opportunities to consult with a doctor to check up on how I'm doing.
ReplyDeleteMedical insurence should provide yearly check-ups and help provide for afforadable healthcare so people won have to worry amount these large amounts of money they owe for their health.
ReplyDelete