The boom of health care mergers and acquisitions in Washington state has offered a way for many smaller, financially struggling hospitals and clinics to stay afloat, industry leaders say. But when those larger health systems start to make cuts they think are necessary, is patient access to care really being protected?
A bill gaining momentum in the state Legislature aims to explore that question — and argue that more oversight of these types of consolidations is needed to ensure they aren’t slashing services, driving up health costs and reducing market competition.
The Keep Our Care Act, as Senate Bill 5241 is known, has moved swiftly through the legislative session this year, gaining approval in the Senate earlier this month and nearing a final vote in the House. A version of the bill was introduced the past three years, but has never made it past the finish line.