British System Highlights Cost-Effectiveness Concerns As Part Of U.S. Overhaul Effort

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 28 May 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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While Congress recently approved funds to study the cost-effectiveness of certain treatments, some are concerned that such research could lead to rationing of health care or that treatments deemed less effective will not be adequately covered, the AP/Washington Post reports. Those concerned often cite Great Britain's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, which determines which medical treatments will be covered based on cost-effectiveness. One of the criteria used by NICE to determine a treatment's cost-effectiveness is how much each additional year of life will cost the government, which the agency has capped at about $47,000 per year of life in most cases (Cheng, AP/Washington Post, 5/26).

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