The Dark Side of a Consumer-Driven Health System

Abstract

If we adopt a full consumer model for our healthcare system, we will incorporate not only the positive elements of consumerism but some negative ones as well. These negative aspects are often overlooked. This essay examines the negative side. In brief, health care consumers are only entitled to what they can pay for so those with no money get nothing and those with little money receive little; the market may respond to consumers by lowering quality while lowering price.