Socio-economics of allergy.

The Medicare (Title XVIII) program in 1965 began a new era in American medicine. For the first time medical utilization review committees began to monitor medical care. Professional standards review organizations (PSRO's) will not determine if medical care is necessary, up to standards and the most economical. The National Health Planning & Resources Development Act, signed into law in January, 1975, will perform health planning, health regulation and resource development. A National Health Insurance Plan, when passed, will combine all government health agencies into one with complete control of American medicine. This article emphasizes the need for the physician (allergist) to be aware of what is going on and how he should cope with the problems with which he will be faced.