As a retired nurse and former case manager for foster children, I’ve spent my career advocating for patients, especially those who are most vulnerable. During my years as a case manager, I worked tirelessly to ensure that children received the best possible care without unnecessary financial strain. Prior to nursing, I was an accountant, and I learned how to make sure the numbers added up. So, when I look at the health care system today, something doesn’t sit right with me.
What’s happening is that hospitals and large health care systems are buying up smaller physician practices and jacking up the prices to patients, without providing additional care or value. Patients should pay the same price for the same medical service, no matter where it is provided. Unfortunately, that’s not what happens in today’s health care system. Big hospital systems have figured out a way to charge more for the same service by acquiring independent physician practices and reclassifying them as part of the hospital. This doesn’t improve the quality of care − it just makes it more expensive for patients.
