Seven principles to guide health care reform

Seven principles to guide health care reform
A health care system's fundamental problems can be addressed if the decision makers recognize the interlocking nature of its elements.
Diana Farrell, Nicolaus P. Henke, and Paul D. Mango
The McKinsey Quarterly FEBRUARY 2007

In This Article
Exhibit 1: Seven common principles, applicable to a broad spectrum of health systems, provide a framework to guide decision making.
Exhibit 2: Health-care system leaders should deploy three main approaches to implementation.


1. Prevent illness and injury
2.Promote value-conscious consumption
3. Analyze under- and overcapacity
4. Safeguard the quality of suppliers
5. Promote cost competitiveness
6. Improve finance mechanisms
7. Ensure successful implementation