You probably live in the Puget Sound area and are affected by the mergers we read about in the Seattle Times. Here in the Tr-Cities, with three basically independent hospitals (although one of them has an affilition with the large Catholic group), the issue of mergers has nothing whatsoever to do with independent practices closing and the providers joining hospitals.
A big reason why practices are closing is because Obamacare is requiring them to have computer charts and billing. This cost is huge, up to a million dollars for some practices. Decreasing reimbursements is another issue. That is why providers are joining up with hospitals. This trend is happening much faster in Washington state.