Drew Altman Care Quotations

There are lots of things on the table, but there's nothing that will have a significant impact on the rate of increase of health care costs.

The American people rejected strict managed care in the late '90s. Government regulation, like the kind in other industrialized countries, is opposed by powerful industry forces and is not in the cards politically. So we're stuck with a bunch of halfway measures.

There have been temporary successes, but always health care costs have bounced back with a vengeance.

The good news is the rate of increase in health care costs is down, ... The bad news is that's the only good news.

Don't be fooled by the moderation we've seen this year. History has told us that when it comes to controlling health care costs, we've achieved some temporary successes, but the rate of increase always bounces back.

The cost of health care is going up much faster than people's wages. Families are paying about (on average) $1,000 more now just for health care premiums than they were five years ago.