Can governments push providers to collaborate? A comparison of hospital network reforms in France and the United States

•A recent French hospital reform, Groupements Hospitaliers Territoire, echoes Accountable Care Organizations.•GHTs mandate public hospital groups to collaborate, while ACOs incentivize voluntary coordination.•The difference in approach, mandatory versus voluntary, may drive differing outcomes.•ACOs’ voluntary approach has several strategic advantages over mandated compliance.•Regardless of effects on care, both programs may drive greater provider consolidation.