Stop Rigging Health Care Against Patients

I urge Congress to address the growing hospital cost crisis by reforming the government policies that fuel hospital consolidation, reduce competition, and drive-up health care prices. Too many Americans are struggling with higher premiums, larger deductibles, and rising out-of-pocket costs while hospital systems continue to grow larger and more powerful. Patients deserve a health care system that puts their interests first—not one that protects entrenched institutions from competition.

 

Current laws and regulations often reward consolidation and allow dominant hospital systems to charge higher prices without delivering better care. Policies such as certificate-of-need laws, restrictions on physician-owned hospitals, and payment rules that favor large hospital systems limit consumer choice and make it harder for innovative providers to compete. These government-created barriers weaken accountability and leave families, employers, and taxpayers footing the bill.

 

Congress should enact reforms that restore competition, increase transparency, and empower patients. This includes removing barriers to new entrants, adopting site-neutral payment policies, expanding price transparency, and ending subsidies and payment practices that encourage consolidation. A more competitive health care marketplace will help lower costs, improve quality, and ensure that patients—not special interests—come first.