Controlling Costs With Computer-Based Decision Support: An Ax, a Scalpel, or an Illusion?Comment on “Impact of Providing Fee Data on Laboratory Test Ordering: A Controlled Clinical Trial”

We have all known for decades that cost controls are coming to health care. The rapid rise in health care costs, greatly outpacing inflation, is affecting the global competitiveness of US businesses and literally bankrupting millions of Americans.¹ “Bending the curve” of health care costs is going to happen, whether done by the health care community itself or imposed on us by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Congress, health insurance companies, or businesses.