Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies Stanford University


FSI Stanford Publications


Bending the Cost Curve: a Critical Component of Health Care Reform.

Commentary

Author
Stephen M. Shortell - Stanford University

Published by
Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 302 no. 11, page(s) 1223-4
September 16, 2009


The estimated 10-year cost (2010-2019) of expanding health insurance coverage is at least $1 trillion. New revenue sources will not cover this cost. Thus, to make such coverage affordable, it is necessary to "bend the cost curve" in the rate of annual increases in health care spending, which in most years has significantly exceeded the overall rate of inflation. This will require addressing the underlying determinants: primarily the behavior of patients, hospitals, and physicians as they use available technologies and treatments.

Topics: Health care reform