There has been a wave of healthcare consolidation following the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA ). A wave of mergers and acquisitions has been witnessed, with pharmaceutical companies largely participating in this madness. In an attempt to control costs and increase benefits in health care contracts, doctors are merging into group practices. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the Original EssayPrivate medical practices are being acquired by hospitals. Many health systems are connecting with accountable care organizations (ACOs), while other small hospitals are acquired by larger hospitals. There have also been many mergers in the insurance market. Costs are rising due to the consolidation of health care organizations, as indicated by studies reported by the Journal of American Medical Association and published by the public health policy departments of Stanford University and the University from California to Berkley. While there is no consumer-driven reason to do so, consolidate, it is difficult for companies to survive on their own in the era of the Affordable Care Act and it is difficult for new entrants on the market to move beyond the status quo and compete in the competition imposed by government regulations and mandates; so they consolidate. The possibility of more insurers exiting the market will be increased if the Affordable Care Act refuses to adopt proposed health insurance mergers. Due to this law it will collapse and everyone will have to turn to the private sector (which is not affordable for many). This will therefore require a universal system for all, such as "Medicare for All", in which competition is eradicated by the government, leading to higher costs and reduced care and access. Price increases are heavy in markets where there is a hospital monopoly. compared to markets with four or more hospitals, hospital prices in the monopoly market are 15.3% higher. The two proposed mergers are currently being reviewed and if sanctioned, the number of major national health insurers will fall from five to three large companies. There were 66 hospital mergers in 2010 and since then, the rate of hospital mergers has increased by 70 percent. Antitrust laws were passed and organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission were created by the United States government to prevent monopolies and reduce anticompetitive behavior. Where the effect of mergers and acquisitions could be to lessen competition or attempt to establish a monopoly, Section 7 of the Clayton Act prohibits such mergers and acquisitions. Horizontal mergers are the most significant antitrust concern. It blocks the merger which could lead to worsening effects on the health care market and on health care costs. Guidelines for horizontal mergers have been developed by the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized document from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The effects of the proposed merger may be reviewed by antitrust agencies in the pre-merger notification of the Hart-Scott-Radino Act. Completed mergers, which therefore appear to harm customers, are also being investigated by antitrust agencies..