– Proposed merger between BJC HealthCare and Saint Luke’s Health System
– Combining more than 28 hospitals across Kansas, Illinois, and Missouri
– Questions raised over regulatory oversight of cross-market hospital mergers
Interstate Hospital Merger Raise Oversight Questions
Missouri’s leading health system, BJC HealthCare, based in St. Louis, has unveiled plans to merge with the Saint Luke’s Health System, the second-largest health system in Kansas City. With eyes set on uniting over 28 hospitals across the Missouri state line, the partnership is expected to finalize before the year ends. However, the proposed merger, which crosses markets 250 miles apart and incorporates facilities in neighboring Kansas and Illinois, has stirred up questions concerning the regulation of such large-scale hospital mergers.
Cross-Market Mergers and Regulatory Oversight
These arrangements, also defined as cross-market mergers, typically involve large hospital systems combining their resources, usually spread across different geographic markets. While they can lead to increased access to healthcare for patients and streamlined processes, they can also lead to increased healthcare costs.
However, the rules governing these mergers vary from state to state, raising concerns about who exactly is responsible for ensuring their fair operation. This lack of clarity on regulatory oversight can potentially jeopardize the general public’s interests.
The Breezy Take
The proposed union between BJC HealthCare and Saint Luke’s will dramatically expand the reach of both entities, potentially benefiting countless patients across the Missouri state line and beyond. However, the vagueness around regulatory oversight of these cross-market mergers remains a significant concern. It’s crucial that clear answers are provided to ensure such collaboration doesn’t harbor unforeseen negative impacts on patient care and costs. State-level disparities in merger oversight need to be addressed to protect public interests.
Original article: https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/28/who-polices-hospitals-merging-across-markets-states-give-different-answers/