Valley Hospital (Ridgewood, NJ) is starting to buy medical practices outright.

[no_hypocrisy]

Own entire medical groups and individual physicians who go on to be employees of the hospital.

Which can seriously threaten competition in the market. And threaten the price of health provider services.

[RC]

1. And, isn't that the idea?

Suck all the money out till it either collapses or or we collapse.

[mucifer]

2. That's been going on since the '80s

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. That's the way the Cleveland Clinic operates

they do not have medical practices, but employees.

It could be a GOOD thing for the cost of medical delivery.

[KT2000]

4. Watch it!!

It is happening here. We have one hospital, and it is buying private clinics. Their specialists are the only ones that accept the insurance I have (government).
Got a bill for a consult with gastro dr who recommended procedure and did a quick ekg to make sure I was OK for it.

Got the bill that was run through hospital billing dept. I was billed as an out patient and charged for the exam room. The way they billed it - most of it not covered by insurance. Cancelled the recommended procedure because I have fear of the bill and how they would charge.
This hospital will make your life a living hell if you owe them money.

Can't complain to the doctor because he is an employee of the hospital.

You are correct in your OP.