Witness testimony largely focused on negative aspects of hospital consolidation, suggesting that it leads to higher health care prices, lower wages for health care workers, and less choice for patients. Testimony also attributed hospital consolidation to government policies that encourage providers to consolidate, such as health care anti-abuse laws, Medicare payment rules, licensing, certificate of need laws and potentially the growing role of private equity ownership. Notwithstanding these concerns, members and witnesses also discussed how integrated health systems were able to leverage their scale to respond effectively to the pandemic. Chairwoman Klobuchar (D-MN) indicated that the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission should consider revising guidance regarding antitrust enforcement practices.
