Notes from Eric Dec. 1, 2011

America can’t control health costs it doesn’t understand

by Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH

Deliberations over health care’s future continue to be divisive. The U.S. Senate “super committee”—deadlocked over deficits linked largely to health care spending—has thrown in the towel. The Affordable Care Act is headed for the U.S. Supreme Court. Medicare chief Don Berwick has resigned after Congress failed to confirm his appointment. And pundits predict next year’s presidential election will be yet another referendum on health reform.

But here’s a proposal that could lead to positive change, not just for politics, but for patients, providers, purchasers, and policymakers: Uncover and share information on the true costs of care. Coupled with knowledge of health outcomes, this

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