As pressure continues to mount to reign in escalating healthcare costs, traditional adversaries are contemplating new alliances and consolidation strategies as potential solutions to control the almighty healthcare dollar. This session will examine a variety of issues and trends regarding payor/provider relations, including increased efforts to consolidate. This session will discuss the pros and cons of consolidation, including whether the US Federal Trade Commission may block proposed consolidations and whether consolidation is good or bad for industry, consumers, or employers. Faculty will also explore the various tensions among the multiple players and ethical considerations presented when payors purchase providers, such as whether ethical lines can be held without compromising other payor contracts and confidentiality.