I find the growing trend of medical consolidation here in Pennsylvania and across the country to be deeply troubling. Corporations are buying up independent doctors’ offices and charging more for care received at these newly acquired facilities even though the care itself hasn’t changed. These unfair billing practices are driving up the cost of care and often without patients knowing until they receive an unexpectedly high bill.

I am the president of PARSE (PA Association of Retired State Employees). Our members—as is true of many of our fellow seniors here in the Keystone State—regularly see doctors and take prescription medicines. 

I worry that if the ownership of our doctor’s office changes, many of my members and other seniors will be forced to find a new doctor or pay more than they can afford for health care on a fixed income.  

I am worried that consolidation will price many seniors out of seeing the doctors they know and trust. Many seniors don’t have the discretionary income required to afford increased health care costs. 

I hope that our senators and the rest of our Pennsylvania congressional delegation will work to pass the Facilitating Accountability in Reimbursements Act (FAIR) in the U.S. House and the Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) in the U.S. Senate to ensure that seniors like us can continue to receive the care we need at a price we can afford.

Tom Judge
President, PA Association of Retired State EmployeesMechanicsburg, PA