Health care is in a constant state of change. Three major forces are shaping the future of healthcare. First is the economic meltdown and its aftermath. Health care is not immune to the recent recession and the readjustment of the global economy. Second is the relentless pressure on health care to deliver value in terms of quality, reliability, and access at an affordable cost. Public and private payers will continue to demand higher performance from the delivery system; and will use the tools of transparency, measurement, and reimbursement redesign to galvanize a major transformation in the delivery system. The economic environment only intensifies the quest for value. The third major force is the once-in-a-decade movement of health reform to expand coverage to all Americans. 

Health reform efforts are taking place in a challenging economic environment where families, businesses, and government are trying to cope with the ever-rising costs of healthcare. These changes create huge ethical issues about who should be covered, for what treatments and technologies, at what cost, paid by whom, and in what ways? As medical technology and the associated cost continue their relentless advance, these ethical dilemmas will only intensify.

This presentation will focus on the political, economic, and strategic context of change in health care, describe the possible scenarios we face, and examine how the various actors are preparing for the future.  It will identify the leadership challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and will provide strategic insights on how organizations and individuals can deal with the ethical challenges that healthcare will face in the future.