Putting information in the hands of consumers

Consumers are eager to get the most value for their money, especially when making a major purchase. That's why most consumers take time to conduct research and learn more about their options before they buy. With the vast array of reliable resources available, especially on the Internet, consumers are easily able to compare quality and price. With knowledge at their fingertips, today's consumers feel empowered to make informed choices, spurring competition and demand for high-quality goods and services at a fair price.

Now, it's time to ensure consumers are equally empowered to make informed decisions about their health care.

Shouldn't there be more information transparency in health care?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services thinks so. In 2006, it launched the Value-Driven Healthcare Initiative. The goal: to revitalize the health care delivery system. One of the initiative's key components is a call for information transparency.

Medical studies clearly illustrate the need for transparency in health care. The New England Journal of Medicine reported in 2003 that only 55% of patients who visited doctors or hospitals received care that corresponded to the recognized best practices. A similar study published in fall 2007 found that children receive recommended health care procedures only 46% of the time when they see a doctor. Medical accidents, errors and poor-quality care together constitute the nation's third leading cause of death, just behind cancer and heart disease.

The belief is that a transparent health care system will allow consumers to make educated decisions and influence the quality of care as well as the price. Consumers who obtain information on performance and best practices will demand better care.

"Transparency is a broad-scale initiative enabling consumers to compare the quality and price of health care services, so they can make informed choices among doctors and hospitals."

- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

 

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