PIRG: Hospital Facility Fees Generate Hundreds of Millions — 50% of Community Practices Now Hospital-Owned (January 2026)
U.S. PIRG(https://pirg.org/resources/outpatient-outrage-2026-hospital-prices-for-care-outside-hospitals/) / CBS News(https://www.cbsnews.com/news/health-care-costs-medical-bill-hospital-facility-fee/)
PIRG's "Outpatient Outrage 2026" report: hospitals charge $50 to $1,000+ in facility fees for routine doctor visits at off-campus clinics they've acquired. No added benefit to patients. 50% of community practices are now hospital-owned, making these fees unavoidable for millions. Only 21 states have any protections. Most patients find out about the fee after they've arrived, undressed, and can't leave.