A recent healthcare poll conducted in Texas 2036 has unveiled some significant trends. Texas 2036, a renowned non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization, is focused on the state's future as it approaches its 200th anniversary in a few years. In November, 1,001 Texans were polled, and an astonishing 75% of them expressed their agreement that the state should play a more active role in regulating healthcare mergers.

Health Policy Director's Perspective

Health Policy Director Charles Miller believes this interest is a groundbreaking development in his research. He emphasizes that it doesn't signify a departure from Texas's competitive free-market values. Instead, it indicates that people are starting to recognize the flaws in healthcare markets and the need for some regulatory intervention to revive competition.For instance, consider an area where there is only one hospital providing childbirth services. In such a scenario, every employer and every health plan has no choice but to include that hospital in their network. While there may be a plethora of regular primary care doctors in the vicinity, creating a competitive marketplace for primary care, if a large health system acquires some of those doctor practices along with the hospital, they can exert significant control. They might tell employers, "If you want our hospital in your network, you must also include all our doctors, and employees have no option to go elsewhere, regardless of the price or quality."

The Consequences of Healthcare System Consolidation

Miller further highlights that when larger health systems acquire smaller practices, it often leads to an increase in facility fees. This can have a significant impact on both patients and healthcare providers. Patients may find themselves facing higher costs for medical services, while smaller practices might struggle to maintain their independence and financial stability in the face of such consolidation.Moreover, 91% of those polled firmly believe that Texans have the right to know who owns their hospitals, doctor's offices, and health insurers. This demand for transparency is driving the push for more price transparency in the upcoming year. There is a growing recognition that without clear information about ownership and pricing, it becomes difficult for insurers and employers to make informed decisions and for patients to choose the best healthcare options.We think there is a strong need to further enhance efforts around price transparency. We want to see more transparency regarding quality as well, removing the barriers that currently prevent insurers and employers from ranking medical providers and sharing that information with individuals. Additionally, there are barriers in place that prevent health benefit plans from guiding or incentivizing their employees to seek high-value care.The full brochure of the poll, which was released last week, is available online, providing detailed insights and data for a comprehensive understanding of these issues.