Summary
Published Date: September 01, 2003
This study examines how recent trends toward concentration within the hospital industry among hospital chains and the increase in for-profit ownership affects access to affordable health care in Los Angeles. Specifically, it investigates the impact of hospital concentration on:
- Costs and revenues, which affects the affordability of employer-provided coverage for those that have it, and
- The competitive position of the public hospitals, which have traditionally provided a safety net to the uninsured and underinsured.
The primary focus of this study is Los Angeles County, since for-profit hospital growth has been greatest in this region. For comparison purposes, we also examined data for hospitals in the rest of California, excluding Los Angeles County. Authors examine how hospitals performed from 1995-2000 in Los Angeles County and in the rest of California in providing care to the uninsured, staying solvent, and taking advantage of funding designed for safety net providers.