Managed competition: a health reform plan that "puts people first"

With its emphasis on consumer information; proper incentives for physicians, hospitals, and insurers; and fair tax treatment; managed competition deserves the attention it has received in the debate over how to reform the U.S. health system. It provides a better route to ensuring access and controlling costs than alternative proposals. President-elect Clinton should use the managed competition model as a blueprint for the health plan he has promised in the first 100 days in office.