Who should govern an HMO?

Enactment of the federal Health Maintenance Act in 1973 set the stage for broad consumer protection and participation in health plan governance. HMO boards today are concerned with a much broader range of issues than in past years, such as the strategic direction of the company; its fiscal soundness; the morale and satisfaction of employees, members, and providers; the composition of its provider network; the methods of reimbursement to its providers; and issues related to cost, access, service and quality.