[bakenator]

The US government has put in place extremely heavy barriers to open a medical care facility. If we were to allow people to open facilities that compete with hospitals, we would very quickly see advertised prices and dramatic price drops. The medical cartel and all its bizarre non-market activities are a result of the existing legislation in place.

[masonic]

  The US government has put in place extremely heavy barriers to open a medical care facility

That's not true at all. The federal government wouldn't gave any reason to intervene unless you end up falsely billing a Federal program like Midicare, Medicaid, or VA.

The reason for consolidation in ERs is cost -- uf you run an ER, you are obligated to treat anybody who cones in without regard to ability to pay. It's a money pit in many urban areas.

[trhway]

Certificate of need. For example:

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/7/31/17629526/m...