The present health care system is fragmented. Health care professionals need to coordinate the care of each patient whether it is provided in physician offices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or other locations. There are two issues that relate to heath care financing. First, individuals, private organizations, and public bodies need to ensure that adequate funds are available to provide high quality health care to every Marylander. Second, physicians and health care organizations need to ensure that health care is delivered both efficiently and cost effectively.
Providers have the responsibility to ensure that they use resources wisely and effectively.
Regulation Appropriate and effective state regulation is an important part of maintaining and improving high quality health care. Regulation also is an essential mechanism to ensure that there is a shared responsibility for underwriting social costs, such as care for the uninsured and the education of medical professionals. Care must be taken to ensure that state and federal regulation aligns. These opportunities provide the framework for the principles that will enable people who care about health care in Maryland to take the next steps to improve one of the nation's most outstanding health care systems. Back to the top Principles Patient-Centered Care Individual physicians and health care providers should tailor care to meet the individual needs of patients and their families.