The reason this is needed is that Romneycare attempted price controls, that did not, and never work to bring down costs. This approach is worth trying, as it is a market based approach.

Unfortunately Richmond12 we did try this before in the 90s and it failed miserably. It lead to hospital closures, consolidations, drive through deliveries, throwing patients out of hospitals sicker and quicker, replacing trained professionals with people off the street, etc. We still live with the effects today. Why do you think that advocates of the approach renamed this approach and avoid calling it capitation and managed care. Of course they say it will be different this time because they are going to use 30 or so easily gamed "quality" indicators to ensure that the appropriate care is given across the entire spectrum of healthcare. The primary goal of this is not to improve patient care but to preserve RomneyCare and ObamaCare health insurance centered approach to healthcare reform. The residents of MA will suffer because our poorly conceived system is important to both presidential candidates.

This should have a minimal effect. A better idea is to get our health care DIRECTLY for the hospitals and clinics, and cut out the middlemen entirely. Transfer and re-train the insurance folks to do preventive care, and move the administrators--that would REALLY reduce health care costs!

So when you need tests or an expensive treatment the fact you Dr. has a fixed amount per patient won't factor in to his/her decision? Are these the same doctors who we are worried about choosing a drug because the drug company took them out to lunch?