Competition is crucial in driving change, in any industry, and healthcare is no different. A competitive environment drives innovation, efficiency, higher quality and lower cost. Industry incumbents have argued against competition countless times over the course of our country’s economic history, and in every instance, the forces of the free market have driven positive change, which benefits the consumer.

One of the biggest and toughest issues facing healthcare today is the disparity between our current healthcare system model, which is driven by volume and quantity of services; and a system that focuses on quality and value based models. In our current system, instead of paying for high quality and value of care, we pay for high volume of care; this means that providers of services make more money by treating a higher number of patients. This system of high volume payment structures does little to provide significant health benefits to the patient.

A recent study released by nine medical specialty groups as part of a project organized by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), and promoted by Consumer Reports, has identified 45 medical tests that are often over-utilized and unnecessary. The project, called "Choose Wisely," plans to help physicians and patients make better choices about the best care for their conditions.