An investigation by The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer provides more proof that hospital employment means higher prices for patients and higher reimbursement for providers. In one example, the pricing for echocardiograms more than doubled after clinics were acquired by the hospitals. "Prices are increasing, often for no other reason than the sign on the door changed," said Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans. --Read the full article at FierceHealthcare