The end-stage renal disease networks: an attempt through Federal regulation to regionalize health care delivery.

Recognizing the needs of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the federal government passed legislation in 1972, establishing Medicare coverage for 92 per cent of the diseased victims regardless of age. However, federal health planners did not in many areas, take into account what was already being accomplished on the state and local level. As a result, the implementation of the provision has created complications of its own. This case study of New Jersey illustrates that until existent informal health delivery networks are incorporated into federal health planning, the taxpayer and health care consumer will not get the most mileage for his or her dollar.