Similar consolidation is being seen in New Haven, Connecticut, where Yale New Haven Hospital has purchased other health care facilities and is bringing doctors who were previously in private practice under the Yale/New Haven Hospital umbrella.
The question no one seems to be asking is: Is this trend toward consolidated medical care good for the patient? Clearly it is good for the hospitals and doctors, or they would not be doing it. As a general rule, we favor competition. Having two hospitals within blocks or miles of each other gives the patient some choice and a motivation for each hospital to give better care. Once there is only one hospital, regardless of the name, will the quality of care improve?
For more information on the L & M/ Westerly Hospital merger see: www.theday.com
Michael Quinn, Esq.
