title: What is driving health system change?
abstract: Socially amoral economic forces now drive health system change. The authors, assisted by a panel of experts on employers, health plans, providers, and consumers, discuss current drivers such as (1) employers' price-focused purchasing, without good quality/value measures; (2) health plans' growing successes and market clout; (3) providers declining prospects and fears about their future; and (4) consumers' worries about less choice. Future influences will include Medicare reforms, better information, and pro-consumer regulation of managed care, as well as rising social distress. The health system's future is now open for resolution in an evolving, imperfect market.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Etheredge
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lewin
mesh_terms: D002755:Choice Behavior; D003254:Consumer Advocacy; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003363:Cost Control; D004465:Economic Competition / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D010819:Physician's Role; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000639:trends*; D014481:United States