THE INFORMATICS OF HEALTH-CARE REFORM

Health care in the United States has entered a period of economic uphe aval. Episodic, fee-for-service care financed by indemnity insurance i s being replaced by managed care financed by fixed-price, capitated he alth plans. The resulting focus on reducing costs, especially in areas where there is competition fueled by oversupply of health services pr oviders and facilities, poses new threats to the livelihood of medical libraries and medical librarians but also offers new opportunities. I nternet services, consumer health education, and health services resea rch will grow in importance, and organizational mergers will provide l ibrarians with opportunities to assume new roles within their organiza tions.