David Ramsey, president and CEO of Charleston, W.Va.-based Vandalia Health, expects healthcare cost pressures to force more community hospitals to join larger health systems, MetroNews reported Jan. 16.
"The cost of doing business, the cost of the computer systems to operate a physician practice, the cost of the insurance to operate a physician practice, the same thing for hospitals, it's becoming so difficult that they are consolidating," Mr. Ramsey told the news outlet.
His comments come on the back of Charleston (W.Va.) Area Medical Center's acquisition of Ronceverte, W.Va.-based Greenbrier Valley Medical Center from Community Health Systems. Charleston Area Medical Center is part of Vandalia Health, which also signed a definitive agreement on Jan. 12 to acquire Plateau Medical Center in Oak Hill.
Mr. Ramsey said Vandalia is competing with WVU Medicine in the growth area, but acknowledged that health systems acquiring community hospitals is a trend that is occuring in several states, according to the report.