Buying right: the consequences of glut.

This nation's health care system is poised for change, and the purchasers of health care services will call the shots. Their decisions can make the system much better, or much worse. If they make the right moves, this nation will make a marked move forward in the quality, efficiency, and availability of care and coverage received by all Americans. If they make the wrong moves, the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of medical care and coverage will be sharply reduced. There is thus great promise as well as great danger. This article explores who must do what to ensure a good outcome, and what will happen if they don't. Because providers have a greater stake in the outcome than any other party, they have a special incentive, and obligation, to ensure that purchasers have the information they need to make appropriate buying decisions.