With Cleveland Clinic eyeing acquisitions at two locations on Florida's Treasure Coast — Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach and Martin Health System in Stuart — residents and hospital workers should be wary but hopeful, according to the local TC Palm.
That a national power in the healthcare industry wants to snap up two independent nonprofit hospitals in Florida is no surprise. The area's patient population has the trifecta of demographics: aging, wealthy and insured, TC Palm's Gil Smart wrote. In an era of increasing expenses, declining reimbursements and growing powers, finding a partner system can give small hospitals more weight in negotiations and help fund capital for investments in growth and change.
Yet as examples have shown, allowing bigger players to come into local markets means change, and not all of it is good, Mr. Smart noted. Unions will have it tougher at the negotiation table and control will change hands.
"Bottom line: There will be a loss of local control. There always is, where the bigger, faraway healthcare system gulps down the local guy," Mr. Smart wrote. "Yet we shouldn't let the drawbacks overshadow the potential benefits of having a globally renowned healthcare 'brand' set up shop in our backyards."
The benefits, such as easier, better and more coordinated care, are a lot to be hopeful for. Read the full column here.
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