The escalating concern regarding exorbitant health care costs in Colorado and across the country demands immediate attention. The cost of care in Colorado is growing exponentially in comparison to the rest of the country because of fallout from the alarming trend of unchecked hospital consolidation. Large, corporate hospital systems buy up independent doctors’ offices, turn them into hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs), then charge more for the same care previously received at a lower price. It can make care unaffordable for patients.