Consumer voices helped persuade Oregon regulators to take deeper look into proposed hospital merger

After receiving comments from concerned consumers, including Voices for Affordable Health advocates, Oregon Health Authority regulators want to take a deeper look into the proposed merger between Salem Health and Santiam Hospital and Clinics.

The agency oversees hospital mergers in the state, evaluating how consolidation affects affordability, quality and availability of healthcare Oregonians receive.

Because the transaction has the potential to have substantial impacts on healthcare in Marion County, it became clear that this review requires complex analyses that can’t be completed in just 30 days,” Oregon Health Authority spokeswoman Franny White told the Salem Reporter.

A preliminary review report the agency released on May 5 cited a number of potential effects of hospital consolidation, including:

• Increased costs due to market domination. Regulators noted that Salem Health “already receives high payments for common inpatient services, compared with statewide median payments.”
• Mixed evidence about whether the quality of care improves following a hospital merger.
• Slower wage growth for hospital workers.

State officials received more than 100 public comments since December, many opposing the merger.

“I don’t believe this should be allowed – Salem Health has been eating up all the clinics in the area and is becoming a monopoly,” wrote Connie Rush, reflecting the many comments posted on the agency’s website.

The state of Oregon can take up to 180 days to investigate and render its decision. If you want to register your opinion, Voices for Affordable Health has set up an easy way. Simply click here.