The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has cleared the acquisition of St. Jans Gasthuis Weert hospital (SJG Weert) by academic hospital Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+). ACM’s investigation has revealed that patients in the southern province of Limburg will continue to have sufficient choice. Furthermore, ACM does not expect this acquisition to have any adverse consequences for health insurers or nearby hospitals. That is why ACM has cleared this acquisition.
Patients and health insurers continue to have sufficient choice


MUMC+ is an academic hospital that provides basic health care as well as complex health care. SJG Weert is a regional hospital that mostly provides basic health care. ACM’s investigation has revealed that, with regard to basic health care, MUMC+ and SJG Weert have different catchment areas. Patients that take out basic health care from MUMC+ come from the southernmost part of Limburg, while patients that take out basic health care from SJG Weert come from the central part of Limburg. With regard to complex health care, their catchment areas overlap only to a very limited extent. Moreover, several other health care providers are active in this region. Therefore, patients will continue to have sufficient choice.


In addition, ACM has investigated the bargaining positions of health insurers after the acquisition. ACM has also looked into whether MUMC+ has any market power vis-à-vis health insurers, and into possible opportunities to transfer market power to SJG Weert. Weaker bargaining positions of health insurers may result in price increases for insured. On the basis of its investigation, ACM has concluded that the bargaining positions of health insurers will not deteriorate as a result of this acquisition. Health insurers do not expect any adverse consequences for their bargaining positions.


Finally, ACM looked into the consequences for nearby hospitals if patients choose MUMC+ or SJG Weert more often as a result of increased referrals between these two hospitals. The investigation has shown that nearby hospitals depend on referrals from MUMC+ and SJG Weert only to a limited degree. ACM expects nearby surrounding hospitals to be able to respond to any changes in patient flows by adjusting their business operations accordingly.
Why does ACM assess mergers and acquisitions in the health care sector?


With every acquisition, there is the question of whether sufficient competition remains, both for patients and for buyers, such as health insurers. Competition ensures that products or services are of high quality, and that they are offered on the market at competitive prices. Competition also promotes innovation. That is why ACM decides in advance whether or not a health care provider is allowed to acquire another health care provider. A merger or acquisition will be blocked if the concentration has adverse consequences, such as price increases or reduced quality and/or less innovation, and thus ultimately harms patients as well. ACM assesses whether markets will continue to work well for people and businesses, now and in the future.
See also


08-06-2017 Mergers in health care (in Dutch)
More in this case


12-01-2024 MUMC+ wishes to acquire SJG (concentration notification) (in Dutch)

ACM Clears Acquisition of St. Jans Gasthuis Weert Hospital by Maastricht UMC+

The ACM investigated the acquisition of St. Jans Gasthuis Weert (SJG Weert) by Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+) in the healthcare sector. The investigation revealed that the two hospitals have different catchment areas for basic and complex healthcare, ensuring patients will have ample choice. The ACM also assessed the impact on health insurers' bargaining power and nearby hospitals, concluding that the acquisition will not lead to negative consequences for them. The ACM's role is to ensure that mergers and acquisitions do not harm competition, quality, or innovation in the healthcare sector, ultimately benefiting patients and businesses.

ACM Clears Acquisition of St. Jans Gasthuis Weert Hospital by Maastricht UMC+

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has approved the acquisition of St. Jans Gasthuis Weert hospital by academic hospital Maastricht UMC+, ensuring patients in Limburg will maintain sufficient choice and health insurers will not face adverse consequences.