Rutgers Center for State Health Policy Director Joel Cantor said that New Jersey is a “a little bit late to the game” of hospital consolidation that’s associated with higher prices elsewhere.
“There’s a very solid body of research showing that (in) more consolidated hospital markets, where there’s less competition, prices are higher,” Cantor said.
He added that with more mergers likely in the future, those active in New Jersey health policy should have their “collective antennae up” over the possibility of less competition driving up costs.