Juniper Research Group is a Washington, D.C.-based policy writing, research and strategic communications firm founded by health policy expert Chris Jacobs. The firm specializes in translating complex public policy issues into clear, persuasive analysis through in-depth research, policy briefs, speeches, op-eds, books and legislative analysis. Juniper Research Group has supported organizations, policymakers and thought leaders on issues including health care, education, tax, energy and economic policy, with work that has been featured in major national publications and informed public policy debates on Capitol Hill.
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Episodes (1)
2026-07-30
Do Hospitals Undermine Healthcare Affordability?with Chris Jacobs
In the latest episode of the Health Policy Podcast, host Bryan Hyde interviews Chris Jacobs, founder of Juniper Research Group, about the rising costs of healthcare and the role of hospitals in making care unaffordable. Jacobs discusses how hospital consolidation and corporate practices have led to higher prices for consumers, emphasizing the need for transparency and reforms such as site-neutral payments. He also highlights the bipartisan recognition of these issues and the potential impact of healthcare costs on upcoming elections.
Notable quotes
“Healthcare has become much more corporatized, and so you have these regional oligopolies.”
“The medical loss ratio provision is a problem and that it's encouraging this kind of consolidation.”
“It's absurd that hospitals can charge more just because they buy a physician practice.”
“A lot of these quote unquote nonprofit hospitals are part of huge chains... This is a big business.”
“If you knew what the prices were to begin with, you would at least be able to make an educated, informed decision.”
“We've never had a market in health care because you can't find out what anything costs.”