Former White House advisor on the real reason your health care costs are going up: Medicare’s doctor pay gap

America’s doctors are rapidly disappearing into hospital systems. And government distortions, through Medicare’s payment rules, are a big reason why. Higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs for patients are the ultimate result. 

According to a new study from the Government Accountability Office, the share of the country’s doctors employed by or affiliated with a hospital system rose from 29% in 2012 to 47% in 2024.

It’s a troubling trend. Greater consolidation of physician services is a recipe for less competition...