The capitation revolution in health care: implications for the field of nursing

Health care is being reformed in the United States. However, rather than the reform taking the course of the rejected Clinton health care plan, the invisible hand of the free market is reshaping America's health care sector through the spread of a system known as capitation. This article looks at capitation and its effect on hospitals, which are rapidly adopting this practice. Then it explores the implications for both nurses and nursing administration as hospitals seek to transform themselves into health care delivery systems. It is suggested that hospitals bring nurses and nurse administrators to the forefront on their concerns in setting up such capitated systems.