Consumer issues and threats to health care market reform

Health care market reform is moving at a rapid pace across the United States. Providers, payers, and government are all developing policies and programs to fit into a new scheme that is taking shape as managed health care. With the changes come a series of challenges and consumer concerns, including choice of health care providers, treatment options, and health plans; access to a full range of providers; and lack of information on quality of care. Legislative bodies have responded with proposals such as "any willing provider" laws and expansion of antitrust exemptions, which are likely to have even more negative consequences on market reform. Health Policy Corporation of Iowa (HPCI) makes a series of recommendations to ensure effective health care market reform.