A recent study published in JAMA Surgery analyzed the impact of hospital price markups on patient outcomes for major elective surgeries. The research, involving over 362,000 patients across nearly 2,000 U.S. hospitals, revealed that patients treated at high-markup hospitals (HMHs) faced significantly increased risks of complications and mortality, particularly respiratory and kidney issues. Lead author Dr. Sara Sakowitz emphasized that these centers delivered lower quality care. Interestingly, nonprofit HMHs did not demonstrate the same negative outcomes, indicating potential differences in resource allocation and care quality.
Sources:
