Patients' health care decisions, spending key to future of medicine

As patients become more engaged in decisions related to treatment and health care, their role in holding down health care spending will likely become more prominent.

Kaiser Health News: Who Knew? Patients' Share Of Health Spending Is Shrinking
Consumer-driven medical spending may be the second-biggest story in health care, after the Affordable Care Act. As employers give workers more 'skin in the game' through higher costs from purse and paycheck, the thinking goes, they'll seek more efficient treatment and hold down overall spending (Hancock, 1/13). 

The Washington Post: Health Care Firms Attract Interest From Financial Backers
Two Washington area firms working to engage patients in their health care decisions and treatment have secured financial backing from investors looking to find companies that will play a leading role in the future of medicine (Overly, 1/13).