Missouri hospital mega-merger raises concerns over increased costs for patients

St. Louis' BJC HealthCare plans to merge with Kansas City's Saint Luke's Health System, uniting over 28 hospitals across Missouri.

Cross-market hospital mergers like this have become more common, and research shows they can increase costs for patients.

Federal regulators have not blocked such cross-market mergers, leaving it to states to respond. Some states like California have imposed conditions, while others like Michigan did not intervene.

The pending BJC-Saint Luke's merger will span distinct markets across Missouri. It's unclear if the state Attorney General will take action.

Experts say cross-market mergers make it hard to prove reduced competition and antitrust concerns. States wrestle with how to regulate deals that could raise prices.