title: Foundations of market restructuring: local hospital cluster and HMO infiltration.
abstract: Much has been said about the rapid penetration of HMOs. Yet, little attention has been given to another, equally important trend--the consolidation of hospitals into local systems and networks. The number of local hospital clusters has increased significantly in recent years. They are now taking the lead in the majority of markets across the country in forming integrated systems.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Luke
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Olden
mesh_terms: D002391:Catchment Area, Health / Q000191:economics; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004465:Economic Competition; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006752:Hospital Planning / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D009096:Multi-Institutional Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States