Meridia union adds to Clinic's clout in market. (Meridia Health System; Cleveland Clinic)

Crain's Cleveland Business, October, 1996 by Santiago, Raquel

The Meridia Health System's decision to pursue a union with the Cleveland Clinic signifies the emergence of a health care monolith likely to use its muscle to exert bargaining clout over insurers and other health care players. The question that now faces insurers and others in the health care field is just how the Clinic will throw its weight around in the marketplace.

"If they can put together a system and create efficiencies such as they have been doing with (the) MetroHealth (System), I think they can positively impact the cost of care," said Linda Somers, network manager for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Northeast Ohio. "The disadvantage is if they use their power to push the price up more, but I don't know that that's going to happen as...

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