Boston-based Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's plan to establish closer ties with two hospitals — Framingham, Mass.-based MetroWest Medical Center and Boston-based New England Baptist Hospital — has garnered support from the state's watchdog agency Wednesday, according to The Boston Globe.
The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission said it would not resist Beth Israel's plan, which includes establishing a clinical affiliation with MetroWest and adding both MetroWest and New England Baptist Hospital to its affiliated network of healthcare providers.
While the commission does not have the authority to formally approve or reject proposed deals, it studies the potential impacts such relationships could render on the broader healthcare market. If necessary, the commission refers serious objections to the attorney general, according to the report.
Regarding Beth Israel's proposed deal, the commission said "small to moderate" increases in medical spending could result, with projections of $4.5 million higher expenditures per year. However, it also said the affiliations carry the potential for savings if Beth Israel's affiliated network maintains moderate prices and improves the quality of care.
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