title: The effects of cardiac specialty hospitals on the cost and quality of medical care.
abstract: The recent rise of specialty hospitals--typically for-profit firms that are at least partially owned by physicians--has led to substantial debate about their effects on the cost and quality of care. Advocates of specialty hospitals claim they improve quality and lower cost; critics contend they concentrate on providing profitable procedures and attracting relatively healthy patients, leaving (predominantly nonprofit) general hospitals with a less-remunerative, sicker patient population. We find support for both sides of this debate. Markets experiencing entry by a cardiac specialty hospital have lower spending for cardiac care without significantly worse clinical outcomes. In markets with a specialty hospital, however, specialty hospitals tend to attract healthier patients and provide higher levels of intensive procedures than general hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Bain and Company, USA.
authors.forename: Jason R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Barro
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Huckman
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kessler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002309:Cardiology; D006782:Hospitals, Special / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014481:United States