The Current Era of Health Care Consolidation
梳理了美国医疗市场在提供方和保险方之间的整合趋势，指出市场集中度已超过监管阈值，导致商业保险价格约为公共保险的2.5倍，且高价与质量关联微弱，引发可负担性危机讨论，并探讨了支出增长原因及政策对策。
Consolidation in the last few decades has reshaped the organization and structure of US health care markets, among both providers and insurers. Nearly all US hospital and insurer markets exceed established regulatory thresholds for competitive markets, and over half of physicians are now employed by a hospital or health system, which can increase spending for patients, payers, and taxpayers. Increased supply-side concentration can alter the balance of negotiations between providers and insurers. Prices for patients with commercial insurance are approximately 2.5 times the prices paid by those with public insurance. High and variable prices have minimal link with higher quality, and the United States leads peer nations in health care spending. These dynamics have created ongoing national debates over an “affordability crisis” and generates frustrations with the US health care system. This article discusses sources of rising health care spending and potential policy solutions.