BOSTON (AP) - A state review panel says that Partners HealthCare System’s proposed acquisitions of South Shore Hospital and Harbor Medical Associates would increase health care spending, likely reduce competition, and result in increased premiums for employers and consumers.
The Health Policy Commission’s report Wednesday said the transactions need more review and should be referred to the state attorney general’s office.
The commission said the acquisitions would increase health care spending by at least $23 million to $26 million each year because of increased payments to doctors, and shifts in use to higher-priced Partners and South Shore Hospital facilities.
Partners disputed a preliminary commission report in January, saying it wrongly concluded the transactions would result in added costs to the state’s health care system.
Under the state’s 2012 cost containment law, the commission reviews the impact of health care marketplace changes.
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