"Within the last few years, some antitrust economists and the FTC have expressed an increasing interest in a theory of 'cross-market effects' in hospital mergers. This theory posits that mergers between hospitals in entirely separate geographic markets nonetheless can create market power that results in higher prices for health plans and, indirectly, for consumers.... But even if we assume that cross-market effects can occur as an empirical matter, do the antitrust laws prohibit cross-market transactions?"  MORE >>