title: Telling the public the real health cost story.
abstract: The real causes of hospital cost increases originate with societal problems like poverty, lack of education, drug abuse, and violences, the author contends. In addition, rampant consumerism and an irrational delivery system play a part in cost increases. Health care professionals need to understand these causes and be able to explain them to their acquaintances outside the field, the author says.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Council of Southern California, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Barber
mesh_terms: D004469:Economics, Hospital; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006292:Health Priorities; D011641:Public Relations; D014481:United States