Here to Stay

Not too long ago there was a merger between Aetna and U.S. Healthcare Inc. that created the country's largest medical-benefits corporation. Most people do no like the idea of any one firm getting too large because of the possible implications. As this merger progressed the healthcare industry was quickly taking the characteristics of an Oligopoly.
As the article states, a firm of this size has a clear leverage against other competitors, doctors and hospitals. The main concern of critics to this plan is that with fewer choices among competing firms the consumers will be the ones to suffer in terms of patient care declining as profits rise.
Competition is of course the driving factor in a healthy market but as costs continue to rise and rise drastic measure just might need to be taken. As the article states “Optimists predict that the half-dozen or so remaining big players, with their enlarged networks, will have the clout to force doctors and hospitals to hold down medical costs.” With third party insurance across the country the risk as well as the cost is spread around. I do not want these corporations to make money over the well being of others, but as more Americans frivolously spend other people’s money through insurance benefits something must be done. Unfortunately big managed healthcare organizations that seriously take in to account the economic evaluations involving its customer’s treatment might just be the answer.