Columbia/HCA and the resurgence of the for-profit hospital business

Article Abstract:

Aggressive acquisitions on the part of Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp have caused a resurgence of the for-profit hospital business. Columbia/HCA now owns half the for-profit hospitals in the US and earned almost $1 billion in profits in 1995. The company's main goal is to buy underperforming hospitals cheaply, close or consolidate facilities, replace licensed health care workers with unlicensed workers and buy supplies in bulk. The company also has been accused of false advertising to market its services. Some employees have complained about patient overload and poor quality supplies. And some state attorneys general have begun questioning the company's goals.

Hospital management companies

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Physician-operated networks and the new antitrust guidelines

Article Abstract:

New antitrust guidelines will make it possible for physicians to form provider networks to compete with health maintenance organizations. It remains unclear how effectively this will increase consumer options and physician autonomy because financial and regulatory barriers remain. The fundamental problem is that regulations treat health care as a business with patients as consumers and assume that competition protects them. Medical care does not fit a market model. First, the true consumers in the medical marketplace are employers bent on cutting costs. Second, it leads to unchecked abuses by profit-driven managed care organizations.

Social aspects, Laws, regulations and rules, Antitrust law, Ethical aspects, Health maintenance organizations, Medical corporations

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Columbia/HCA and the resurgence of the for-profit hospital business, part 2

Article Abstract:

Columbia/HCA's aggressive pursuit of non-profit hospitals is now being challenged in many communities. Usually when the company acquires a charitable institution, it creates a foundation to continue this tradition. But many state attorneys general are resisting the company's aggressive tactics. In 1996, at least 30 pending acquisitions were killed or altered because of local opposition. Columbia/HCA claims it is creating an efficient health care system. The rise of the for-profit hospital sector could force many non-profit hospitals to operate more efficiently.

Hospitals, Voluntary, Voluntary hospitals

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