Death rates rose in hospital ERs after private equity firms took over (nbcnews.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the impact of private equity firms taking over hospital emergency rooms, leading to increased death rates. The comments section explores the relationship between healthcare costs, competition, and regulation. Some commenters argue that increased competition can lead to lower prices, while others point out the unique challenges of the healthcare market. The discussion touches on the role of insurance, hospital closures, and the need for price transparency.

Main themes

• Healthcare costs
• Competition and regulation
• Private equity firms
• Hospital closures
• Insurance and pricing
• Market forces in healthcare

What commenters say

• Increased competition in the healthcare market can lead to lower prices and better services, similar to other industries.
• The healthcare market is unique and not subject to the same competitive forces as other industries, due to factors like emergency situations and lack of price transparency.
• Regulations, such as those requiring a 'demonstration of need' for new hospitals, can limit competition and drive up costs.
• The presence of multiple hospitals in an area does not necessarily lead to lower prices, as patients often lack the ability to compare prices and make informed decisions.
• Insurance companies and their negotiations with hospitals play a significant role in determining healthcare costs, and can limit the effectiveness of competition.
• Some argue that the goal of preventing hospital closures justifies regulations that limit competition, while others see this as a form of protectionism that drives up costs.
• The fixed costs of running a hospital, combined with the requirement to provide unprofitable services, can make it difficult for hospitals to operate efficiently and competitively.
• The assumption that customers will not pay for inefficient supply chains is incorrect, as patients ultimately bear the costs of inefficiencies in the healthcare system.