Health care mergers and acquisitions are reshaping the health care delivery landscape in New Hampshire and across the U.S. The frequency of these transactions is increasing, often presented as essential for maintaining services or ensuring financial stability amid industry changes.
However, the situation is more complex and concerning. For many families and businesses in New Hampshire, health care mergers have led to higher costs and reduced access to crucial services. This trend is likely to continue with the proposed acquisition of Catholic Medical Center CMC by HCA Healthcare, a for-profit health care corporation.
As we consider the potential effects of this acquisition, it’s important to understand the risks involved. HCA already owns three hospitals in New Hampshire and is the largest hospital chain in the country. If this deal goes through, CMC, which has a nonprofit mission dating back to the 1800s, would lose its charitable status. This change means it would no longer be held accountable for providing charity care, community benefits, and local governance. These community investments are vital for ensuring that people in our state can access health care, regardless of their income.
When nonprofit hospitals become for-profit, their priorities can shift significantly. HCA’s ownership structure, which includes various out-of-state parent companies and for-profit affiliates, can be confusing. As a publicly traded company, HCA prioritizes its shareholders rather than the local community.
HCA’s recent decisions, such as its termination of labor and delivery services at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester in 2022 after promising to keep them, illustrate how profit-driven choices can damage trust in the health care system. These mergers can deeply affect our communities.
Health care is not just a market commodity; it is essential for our well-being. Rising health care costs are a heavy burden for many families and small businesses. These expenses hinder local economic growth, making it challenging for young families to remain in the area and for communities to prosper. In New Hampshire, a family of three may spend $1 out of every $12 on health care, a strain compounded by rising costs for housing, child care, education, and food. Too many residents are delaying necessary care due to high out-of-pocket costs, and medical debt is on the rise. This financial strain has repercussions for our economy.
The CMC-HCA merger underscores the stakes involved as hospitals consolidate, shifting New Hampshire from local nonprofit health care systems to larger regional models often linked to for-profit and private equity enterprises.
The New Hampshire Department of Justice’s Charitable Trust Unit is currently reviewing this transaction, and public input is crucial. We must ask difficult questions about how this merger will affect health care accessibility and affordability in Manchester and beyond. Will there be cuts to essential services? Will costs increase? Will long-standing community health programs continue? Who will be accountable for addressing our concerns or safeguarding access to care after the merger is finalized? These are vital questions our community must address. The stakes are high.
As health care costs rise, New Hampshire needs a strategy focused on prioritizing patients. We require transparency in health care pricing and policies that protect access to care, especially for our most vulnerable residents. Additionally, resources like patient navigators and advocates are essential to help Granite Staters navigate the complexities of the health care system, ensuring they can access care and understand their rights and options.
The public hearing on October 23 at 4:30 p.m. at Manchester Memorial High School is an opportunity to advocate for a health care system that provides affordable, high-quality care for every resident of New Hampshire.
Let’s ensure that tough questions are raised and answered, and that all voices are heard. We must hold these powerful multibillion-dollar institutions accountable for the future of our health care and the well-being of our community. This moment calls for careful examination and a collective commitment to outcomes that guarantee affordable and equitable care for every Granite Stater.
Blue & Gold NLR Team is a dedicated journalist at blueandgoldnlr.com, where he provides insightful and up-to-date news coverage. With a passion for uncovering the truth and a commitment to delivering accurate information, Blue & Gold NLR Team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team. His work ensures readers stay informed about the latest events and developments.