Health System Consolidation Raising Prices, Increasing Debt in NJ

Hospital consolidation in New Jersey results in higher costs of care the increases the amount of medical debt among residents, reports NJ Advance Media. Despite federal attempts to limit the number of health system mergers, these transactions continue to occur in increasing numbers. State efforts to address the issue include laws targeting prescription drug pricing and the Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act, signed by Governor Murphy in 2024.