Post by Logan on Jun 10, 2016 3:40:42 GMT -6
State and feds say Carolinas HealthCare drove up costs by curbing competition
Patients in the Charlotte region face higher health care costs and fewer choices because of efforts by the state’s largest hospital chain to prevent competition, the U.S. Justice Department and the N.C. Attorney General’s office contend in a newly filed lawsuit.
The federal antitrust lawsuit against Carolinas HealthCare System alleges the chain illegally reduces competition in the local health care market.
“Pushing medical costs artificially higher and limiting choices harms North Carolina families,” said state Attorney General Roy Cooper, who is running for governor this year. “Consumers who need health care deserve accurate information and access to quality, affordable options.”
Carolinas HealthCare said Thursday that it has “neither violated any law nor deviated from accepted healthcare industry practices for contracting and negotiation.”
Read more here: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article82726402.html
The attorney general's office makes a strong case for collusion between Carolinas Healthcare System and the dominant health insurance companies in the North Carolina market. There is only a semblance of competition between CHS and the smaller hospital networks which allows them to essentially monopolize the market.
Patients in the Charlotte region face higher health care costs and fewer choices because of efforts by the state’s largest hospital chain to prevent competition, the U.S. Justice Department and the N.C. Attorney General’s office contend in a newly filed lawsuit.
The federal antitrust lawsuit against Carolinas HealthCare System alleges the chain illegally reduces competition in the local health care market.
“Pushing medical costs artificially higher and limiting choices harms North Carolina families,” said state Attorney General Roy Cooper, who is running for governor this year. “Consumers who need health care deserve accurate information and access to quality, affordable options.”
Carolinas HealthCare said Thursday that it has “neither violated any law nor deviated from accepted healthcare industry practices for contracting and negotiation.”
Read more here: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article82726402.html
The attorney general's office makes a strong case for collusion between Carolinas Healthcare System and the dominant health insurance companies in the North Carolina market. There is only a semblance of competition between CHS and the smaller hospital networks which allows them to essentially monopolize the market.