Traditionally, the timeline for translating research into effective therapies for disease has been long. On average, it takes more than 10 years to bring a potential medication to market, and most drugs and other interventions that reach clinical trials fail to produce any benefit for patients.
The merger of the two health systems is the second big healthcare consolidation in the state in recent years. And it's raising fears that costs for patients could increase though the hospital executives say that won't happen.