ACM clears acquisition of LangeLand hospital by Reinier Haga Group

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has cleared the acquisition of LangeLand Hospital in the Dutch city of Zoetermeer by the Reinier Haga Group, which has hospitals in nearby The Hague and Delft. The hospitals involved say that, after the acquisition, the hospital in Zoetermeer will continue to be operational.

After the acquisition, little will change in the competition between the hospitals in Delft, The Hague, Leidschendam and Zoetermeer. If patients of LangeLand Hospital choose a different hospital, they are more likely to go to the hospitals of MCH-Bronovo than those of the Reinier Haga Group. Conversely, hardly any patients of the Reinier Haga Group hospitals in The Hague and Delft go to LangeLand Hospital in Zoetermeer. For patients of both hospitals, MCH-Bronovo is the main alternative. LangeLand Hospital therefore hardly competes with the Reinier Haga Group.

Patients and insured will continue to have enough choice in their region such as the hospitals of MCH-Bronovo in The Hague and Leidschendam, and possibly hospitals in Leiden, Gouda and Rotterdam.

The client council of LangeLand Hospital is positive about the acquisition because the hospital in Zoetermeer continues to be operational, and it expects quality to improve further. Most health insurers do have objections against the acquisition. They believe the arrangements about prices of treatments at LangeLand Hospital will become less beneficial. In ACM’s opinion, the presence of nearby hospitals ensures that enough options continue to exist for health insurers to negotiate on price, quality, and accessibility of the hospitals.