My sister's longtime dentist practice got bought out by a private equity-backed dental group four months ago.
Same office. Same hygienists. Same chairs. Zero new equipment.
Last week they sent the new fee schedule for anyone with insurance.
A routine cleaning that used to run $120 is now billed at $310, with the group quietly dropping several insurance plans they used to accept.
When patients asked why, the new regional manager gave a scripted line about "aligning with market standards."
Private equity figured out the same trick everywhere.
They're buying up the things you can't opt out of: dental, veterinary care, urgent care, hospice, because they know you can't just skip your kid's cavity or your dog's surgery.
This isn't inflation. It's leveraged debt getting loaded onto places you have no choice but to keep paying.