Former NH State Representative Kevin St. James recently wrote in The Union Leader about how corporate hospitals mergers are driving down the quality of care for Granite Staters.

When Exeter Hospital bought Beth Israel Lahey Health, it made a pledge for “a $375 million capital commitment from Beth Israel … $10 million over 10 years to the state for projects that benefit healthcare consumers.” However, one year later, an article revealed that “at the local level, hospital leaders have identified opportunities to restructure staff roles, including eliminating some positions, to best meet local health care needs in a sustainable way.”

New Hampshire lawmakers have been fighting for Exeter patients, but combatting facility fees and increasing hospital price transparency will help lower costs for all.

In his op-ed, Kevin St. James provides a solution.

“We need to promote hospital competition by preventing monopolistic hospital systems from taking over local markets. By encouraging more independent health care providers to operate in New Hampshire, we can increase competition, improve quality, and lower prices for patients.”

Better Solutions supports state and federal efforts to hold hospitals accountable for egregious pricing behaviors and remains committed to advancing meaningful solutions.