1. Some of the articles available on the matter of health care mergers bemoan the absence of a patient/consumer role in the decision-making process. Should consumers have a role in the decision of "to merge or not to merge"? Where/how could that role be played?

2. Explain the difference between and give examples of a financial merger and an operating merger.

3. Explain the difference and offer an example of each - a joint venture and a merger.

4. Explain the difference between and give an example of each a horizontal merger and a vertical merger.