Health care rationing in the United States: are we there yet?

Given the skyrocketing costs of health care in the United States, some experts propose official health care rationing as a solution to the crisis. Others maintain the position that health care is already being rationed because of cost, and always has been. This paper presents evidence supporting both viewpoints and, by exploring two definitions of "rationing," shows that they are not mutually exclusive. Practical applications to optometry as a health profession are mentioned.