America is said to be undergoing a "health-care crisis" with skyrocketing costs and inequalities in the distribution of services. This, plus the prospect of greater government intervention, has stimulated rapid and sweeping changes in the way in which the health marketplace is organized. Managed-care enrollment has risen rapidly. Widespread concerns that small organizations will be unable to compete with large ones have been stimulating mergers and other alliances that can achieve economies of scale.
Many of the problems are inherent in the system as it is organized today. Individuals can minimize some of their expenses through prudent consumer strategies.
Insurance fraud is a serious problem. Some frauds can be detected by examining insurance payment reports to see whether they accurately reflect the services rendered.
An ideal national health-care system would provide equity, access, efficiency, and quality. However, even though most people want "reform," no plan has been able to satisfy the many competing interests.
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