A new commentary published in JAMA Network Open by CHAMP co-director Dr. Hector Rodriguez highlights concerning findings about health system acquisitions of physician practices and their impact on vulnerable patient populations.
The commentary discusses recent research showing that when physician organizations affiliate with health systems, care disparities between dual-eligible Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries and other Medicare patients can actually widen for certain quality measures, including diabetic eye examinations and follow-up after acute events.
"These findings suggest that organizational integration doesn't automatically translate to better or more equitable care," said Rodriguez. "Complex dynamics underlie physician organization integration into health systems, and there may be unintended negative consequences for vulnerable populations."
Rodriguez emphasizes that true clinical integration—not just administrative consolidation—is essential for improving care quality and equity. He calls for more research to understand how different forms of physician-health system relationships affect care delivery for socioeconomically and clinically vulnerable patients.
The commentary appears in the October 23, 2025 issue of JAMA Network Open.
View the full publication here.