How hospital lobbying can shape law

KFF Health News published an article about how the hospital industry in Montana has affected legislation. The article points out that the industry employs about 30,000 people (over 5% of the state's workforce), and has multiple lobbyists. With this power, the industry has avoided legislation to impose price caps and to require better pricing transparency.

The elected representatives may be responsive to industry desires at the moment. However, if public sentiment towards healthcare providers continues to deteriorate, legislators will hopefully become more responsive to the general public.