Enhancing efficiency: step by step.

Abstract

The debate over which mechanism for health care delivery will provide the widest, most efficient access has reached a crescendo. While the debate on the macro level accelerates, many significant approaches continue to be discussed and implemented on a micro level. Among these activities are imminent release of the final rule on "Criteria and Procedures for Making Medical Services Coverage Decisions that Relate to Health Care Technology--Medicare," implementation of the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990 by the FDA, and a proposal that payers establish a cooperative national technology assessment program.