ABSTRACT
To address the root causes of the underlying healthcare problems, there are a set of actions that, when taken together, form a comprehensive and integrated solution. The solution is comprehensive because it addresses a broad range of issues on the demand side and the supply side of healthcare. The solution must be integrated because there are many cross-currents among the underlying problems and root causes, which are discussed in Chapters 1 and 2 and summarized in Figure 2.2. As discussed in the prior chapter, the framework for the comprehensive and integrated solution is based on a healthcare delivery system that focuses on the needs of patients and allows them to be the key decision makers. The solution must effectively organize and manage healthcare resources, so patients get high-quality care, limited delays, good access, and fair and reasonable costs. The nine elements of the solution are interdependent, and the relationship between these elements and the root causes are illustrated in Figure 4.1, which is the organizing vehicle for this chapter.
