MA may limit Boston metro hospital expansion

Now here's something you don't see every day. Rather than simply letting market forces prevail, Massachusetts health authorities proposed this week to protect suburban hospitals from competitive intrusions by the big Boston medical centers like Brigham and Women's and Mass General. Officials are worried that such expansions could duplicate services, but also that it could put community hospitals at financial risk, said Paul Dreyer, director of healthcare safety and quality at the state's Department of Health. Dreyer's concerned about cases like that of Children's Hospital Boston, which has opened 11 overnight beds at a satellite facility in nearby Waltham. Right now, moves like the one made by Children's don't require state approval, but that would change under new rules proposed by Dreyer's office.

To learn more about Boston's competitive situation (and state plans):
- read this piece in The Boston Globe

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