Appropriate health care. Setting the limits

Appropriate is defined by Webster as "especially suitable or compatible". Historically, health care has been appropriate in the eyes of physicians. Now we recognize that health care, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder, and the beholders include the consumer and society as well. These two increasingly vigorous players are sensitive to cost and alternative use of their dollars. In fact, a projection of trends over the past 25 years would have us running out of dollars in the middle of the 21st century. My medical colleagues tell me, "No cost is too great to save a human life or treat disease." My Wharton colleagues tell me, "Resources by definition are limited and choices must be made." Therein lies the challenge of "Appropriate Health Care: Setting the Limits."