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S M Enright

Publications and source records attributed to S M Enright.

40 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

"Procompetition" and the continuing struggle to contain health-care costs.

Various proposals designed to increase competitive forces in the health-care services economy are discussed. Two concepts inherent in market-oriented strategies for containing health-care costs--cost sharing and fixed-dollar subsidies--are defined. Among the strategies for increasing market forces in health care are (1) increasing consumer choice, (2) increasing consumer cost sharing, (3) modifying tax treatment of insurance and medical care, (4) controlling the terms of employment-based insurance, and (5) application of antitrust law. Specific conceptual and legislative "procompetition" proposals are summarized. All of the "procompetition" proposals offer economic incentives for good management of hospitals as a whole as well as for individual departments such as the pharmacy.

Cost Control↗

Effect of Reaganomics on the U.S. health-care system.

Health care under President Ronald Reagan is discussed as it relates to consumers, third-party carriers, hospitals, and hospital pharmacists. The Reagan Administration's goals are to: (1) promote cost containment and quality control through competition, and (2) shift the major elements of program control to the state and local governments and the competitive private sector. Described are the regulatory and legislative initiatives of the Administration, such as the Omnibus Reconciliation Budget Act, Block Grant Programs, Medicare and Medicaid cuts, and procompetition legislation. Under increased competition in the health insurance system, the locus of responsibility for costs will shift from employers and unions to employees. Incentives for greater cost sharing will force hospitals to restrain costs. Multihospital systems are likely to proliferate. Proposed ancillary service caps will increase competition for resources among hospital departments. Pharmacy departments must implement strategic long-range planning to withstand the pressures for reductions in staff and services. Clinical pharmacy services will become increasingly difficult to implement without full documentation. As a result of all these changes, consumer demand for health-care services may decrease, and the way such services are delivered will probably shift.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗