Simplistically, high health spending is due to high hospital prices, which is due to excessive market power. An article shows just how concentrated most US hospital markets are. In almost every state over 50% of hospitals operate in a highly concentrated local market, meaning they face little competition.
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-transactions-and-valuation/50-states-ranked-by-hospital-concentration/?origin=BHRE&utm_source=BHRE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=4013B4524489F1YMental health companies are very hot. Virtual mental health services provider Talkspace is being bought by hospital operator Universal Health for around $835 million, a high multiple of revenue and earnings.
https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/finance/uhs-acquire-talkspace-estimated-835-million-transaction?utm_medium=email&utm_source=nl&utm_campaign=HC-NL-FierceHealthTech&oly_enc_id=4679D3169845B3YA last look at the ideological drivel in the Strib for a couple of weeks.
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Spending on primary care services shows substantial variation across the country, driven by price differences.
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The February employment report looks bad on the surface but is actually pretty consistent with prior months.
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The final installment but don't worry, more will come later this month.
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I apologize for asking you to read this continuing saga of poor journalism.
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There are so many health care companies that people struggle to come up with names and we end with weird stuff like Grow Therapy, which nonetheless raised $150 million to support its mental health business, as that segment continues to be incredibly hot. Grow uses a mixed in-person and virtual care model and sells to health plans and employers.
https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/finance/grow-therapy-scores-150m-build-out-enterprise-partnerships?utm_medium=email&utm_source=nl&utm_campaign=HC-NL-FierceHealthcare&oly_enc_id=4679D3169845B3YAnother round of catchup from our favorite toilet paper substitute.
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It appears that ocean life will likely do just fine, even if the oceans do warm a bit.
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An interesting paper discusses a new theory on how consciousness works.
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About this Blog
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at khroche@healthy-skeptic.com.