Hamilton B, & Ho V, (2000)

‘Hospital Mergers and Acquisitions: Does Market Consolidation Harm Patients?’

Journal of Health Economics 19(5) pp. 767-791

• Tests the hypothesis that quality of patient care declines after a hospital is merged or acquired.
• Uses panel data on hospitals in California from 1991-95.

Key results:

• Mergers have not had a measurable impact on inpatient mortality, although the associated standard errors are large.
• Readmission rates and early discharge increased in some cases.
  

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