National hospital chains and systems are better dealmakers than their regional counterparts, according to a new study from Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. The study of more than 100 transactions that occurred between 2007 and 2008 concluded that the nationals were better at integrated the merged entities, particularly among the elements considered crucial to a successful transaction: Costs, workforce optimization and better leverage in entering into payer contracts. And while costs tended to go up for both regional and national hospital mergers, the national chains were slightly better at controlling costs post-merger. Article