Semin Reprod Med 2013; 31(03): 187-188
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1336598
Preface
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Health Policy in Reproduction

Alan H. DeCherney Guest Editor
1   Reproductive Biology and Medicine Branch, Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
22 April 2013 (online)

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Alan H. DeCherney, MD

Over the past few years financial aspects of the practice of medicine have become more important. Cost control rationing, consolidation, and efficiency are all concepts that are part of the lexicon of any physician. Administrative issues have become tantamount. In the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (so-called Obamacare) and its prospects for the future, these issues have taken on new significance.

In this issue of Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, we have assembled a group of articles by experts in the field who are frontline practitioners. In addition to addressing all the issues of finance and quality, also involved are the organizations that are essential as process and protocol become more critical in the practice of reproductive medicine.

The evolving impact of health policy on the delivery of health care as it pertains to reproductive endocrinology and infertility in the United States by Paul Brezina and colleagues sets the tone for this compilation. It looks at the overall practice of reproductive endocrinology and the inevitable changes as medicine evolves into a more government-regulated institution.

Eric Levens, Kevin Richter, and Michael Levy talk about the very successful risk-sharing program initiated and refined by the Shady Grove in vitro fertilization (IVF) practice.

Steve Masler and Robert Strickland discuss the important role of management in the IVF program. These programs have become much larger, and some of them are extremely complex businesses. Fady Sharara's contribution on managing a solo practice offers a striking contrast. The issues are just as complex, and the differences between a solo practice and a large group are provocative.

The importance of insurance and coverage cannot be underestimated since this has become an imperative part of medical care, present mandates are discussed by Paul Brezina.

Of course with all of these new changes doctors have to take on a new role that increases their managerial functions. In an article on negotiation for physicians, Micah Hill and I cover this key area.

Lastly, the two organizations that are most important to the field are RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association Patient Advisory Group, discussed by Barbara Collura and colleagues, as well as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), our parent organization. In the final article Executive Director Robert Rebar defines ASRM and what it does.

These comprehensive contributions will provide a guidebook for the future as we negotiate the troubled waters of medical care.