When "patients" become "consumers."

The medical world expects "patients" to bear up patiently. But the medical world needs to learn to live with "consumers." And employers are in the best position to make "consumers" out of "patients" by educating and helping employees to negotiate the health care system. The author, President of a New York firm, has developed the Options Program for this purpose. Its structure, functions and results in pilot tests and at Burlington Industries are detailed here.