Smart Talk: What’s behind hospital mergers?; Latest property tax relief bill

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, July 22, 2014:

Pinnacle Health consolidates with the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Holy Spirit Health System affiliates with Geisinger Health System. Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon joins up with WellSpan Health. There are just three of the latest examples of hospitals and health systems looking for partners in a changing healthcare environment.

The mergers, consolidations, and affiliations have been going on for some time but pressures to keep healthcare costs down and keep up with the latest treatments and technology seem to be driving more of them.

Tuesday’s Smart Talk examines why bigger is apparently better in the eyes of the health systems teaming up and what it could mean for patients.

Appearing on the program is Andy Carter, president and CEO of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.

Also, the latest property tax reform proposal is being made by Rep. Dave Reed (R-Indiana).

On Smart Talk, Rep. Reed explains his proposal that would increase statewide sales and income taxes while cutting back on property taxes proportionately.

Prior property tax reform bills never got any momentum in the legislature because they didn’t generate as much revenue as what property taxes bring in. Reed says he has taken that into consideration with his proposal.

Reed is also proposing that the state provide 50% of local schools’ funding compared to about 35% currently.