CHC Radio

When Area Hospitals Have the Same Owner, Does Medical Debt Go Up?

Originally broadcast November 14, 2024

There are 27 million Americans who have medical debt on their credit reports right now—a drag on their pocketbooks and our health care system. Urban Institute researchers say they’ve found an interesting fact about those with medical debt: They live in communities with less healthcare competition because of common ownership. The data show that communities of color and people living in the South are disproportionately affected.

Fredric Blavin, Ph.D. and Breno Braga, Ph.D. say medical debt can intensify financial challenges, affect health care access and potentially worsen health outcomes. They report prices at monopoly hospitals are 12% higher than those in more competitive markets.

They share with hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter a variety of ways policymakers can explore unraveling the market concentration-medical debt link and we share the perspective of the American Hospital Association.

Conversations on Health Care

Share
Published by
Conversations on Health Care

Recent Posts

Food is Medicine: How Young Changemakers are Transforming Healthcare

Originally broadcast March 27, 2025 Two young innovators are leading a movement that proves food…

5 days ago

Hon. Mary Bono, Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse

Mary Bono has left the halls of Congress, but she’s still winning with her efforts…

2 weeks ago

Michael J. Fox’s Foundation Makes Parkinson’s Breakthrough

Emmy award-winning actor Michael J. Fox shocked the world when he announced over 25 years…

3 weeks ago

Colorectal Cancer Rising for Millennials & Gen Z: How to Reverse the Trend

Originally broadcast February 15, 2024 About 1 in 5 colorectal patients are now under the…

4 weeks ago

Alzheimer’s Researchers Under Fire: Acclaimed Journalist Explains Why

Originally broadcast February 27, 2025. How reliable is the current research into the cause of…

1 month ago

Former Republican HHS Secretary Offers Bipartisan Wisdom

Dr. Louis Sullivan walked the halls of Congress and testified before committees when he was…

1 month ago