Technology Assessment And The Cost Of Health Care

The cost of health care is a major economic issue and policy concern in the United States today. It is clear that expenditures have been increasing more rapidly than the rate of growth of our gross domestic product. The escalation of costs is a result of an increase in number, intensity, and/or expense of services. The evidence forces the inescapable conclusion that this situation cannot long be maintained. Nevertheless, there is reason to believe that a greater efficiency in the system is possible, perhaps permitting the provision of higher quality care with fewer resource,demands. Some increase in efficiency may result from the proper application of technology assessment.