ABSTRACT
Health care in the United States is undergoing large and rapid changes in response to cost pressures and ideological influences. There are a variety of challenges to social trust and interpersonal trust both in general and in specific relation to changes in the financing and organization of medical care system. Medical care is in part an important psychosocial influence process that is impossible without reasonable levels of trust. Health plans understand the importance of trust and are alarmed at the strong backlash against managed care practices. It is frequently suggested that the industry shares the low point in public esteem with the tobacco industry and that in both cases the public is receptive to having the government impose regulations and sanctions. Eighty-five percent of the public favored legislation that would regulates health maintenance organization (HMOs). Group/staff model HMOs have both a significant advantage and a significant liability.
