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Article: U.S. health care in conflict -- Part I: the challenges of balancing cost, quality and access. (Policy).
- Article from:
- Physician Executive
- Article date:
- July 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 American College of Physician Executives. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The United States health care system is a product of our unique social, political, economic and cultural environment and values.
In the United States, we value pluralism and choice, the market and competition, but are ambivalent and mistrustful of big government. We value individual freedom and the responsibility it entails. That translates into: "If people choose to be uninsured, it's their problem." We desire the latest technology, drugs and access to the best care immediately on demand, all at minimal cost to our own pocketbook.
With its large number of payers and providers, growing consumer expectations complicate our pluralistic system. That results ...