The concept of the Iron Triangle of Health Care addresses the relationship between three important elements in healthcare services:

• Quality
• Cost containment
• Accessibility.

Dr. William Kissick, the author of this concept, believed that any one of these elements could be improved in a healthcare system, but the other two would be put at risk because of this change.

For instance, some people would like high quality health care, but it may lead to higher costs (cost containment risk), and fewer people may be able to access healthcare services (access risk) due to the higher cost. The Iron Triangle may explain why there is so much policy debate about health care in the United States.

As a consumer of healthcare services, think about where you go to receive health care, such as a hospital, emergency room, urgent care, or physician clinic. In your discussion post, answer the following questions, and explain each of your answers:

• Am I receiving quality care from my provider? Why or why not?
• Do I have easy access to health care? Why or why not?
• Is it costly for me to receive health care? Why or why not?

Then, discuss whether any of the Iron Triangle of Health Care factors (quality, cost containment, or accessibility) need to be improved in your local healthcare delivery system, and explain why.

Post replies to two other learners' discussion posts. Be sure your replies include more information about the discussion topic (perhaps your own experiences or something you have read) or any questions you may have to keep the conversation going.