Market demands shape health sector growth

The Wall Street Journal reports on how a string of recent acquisitions are being spurred by an increased demand for outpatient facilities and senior care. However, The Washington Post reports that some specific facilities — those that are doctor-owned, for instance — are sparking criticism.

The Wall Street Journal: Demand For Senior Care Spurs Deals
Ventas Inc. agreed to acquire rival Nationwide Health Properties Inc. for $5.8 billion, the biggest deal yet in a string of acquisitions by publicly traded health care real-estate companies in recent months. The deal comes at a time when some investors expect demand for medical-office space to rise as hospitals shift more services to outpatient facilities. The government's health care overhaul is also boosting the number of people with health insurance, and the ranks of the elderly are growing (Pruitt and Troianovski, 3/1).

The Washington Post: Doctor-Owned Centers Spark Criticism, Scrutiny
When Kenneth Baker found out he had prostate cancer, his urologist detailed his options: The 84-year-old was too old for surgery, but he could pick from two forms of radiation or simply wait to see if he really needed treatment (Stein, 2/28).