Encouraging physicians to strictly limit the budgets of each patient's care will surely drive down costs and may even conspire to encourage physicians to improve patient preventative care. But there is always the fear that patients will be denied necessary as well as unnecessary tests and procedures, and physicians may shy away from suggesting expensive but potentially life-saving treatments.

This new system essentially splits the interests of physicians and patients: the less care physicians give, the more physicians are paid. Furthermore, there is a strong disincentive to treat potentially uncooperative or risky patients. Patients who have mental health issues or who have chronic conditions that are unpredictable and difficult to treat, such as the obese and diabetics, may fall under such categories. However, these patients are often the individuals most in need of intensive, hands-on care and a close relationship with their physicians.

Impact on practitioners

Practitioners will be frustrated...
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