Lean and mean: the quality of care in the era of managed care.
This paper reviews the genesis of managed care and the reasons for its rapid growth. The effects of the differing incentives of traditional and managed-care plans on quality of care are described. There is an urgent need for federal, state and local health departments to monitor and regulate the quantity and quality of health care provided by all types of insurance plans. The elements of such a program are outlined, and the need for adequate funding as well as political and technical leadership is emphasized. This should become a major priority issue for the public health movement in the United States.
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D018588:Fee-for-Service Plans; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D011634:Public Health; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014481:United States