In this volume we present the major, policy-oriented report of OTA's assessment, The Implications of Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Medical Technology. Begun in October 1978, the assessment analyzes the feasibility, implications, and usefulness of cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis in health care decisionmaking. In addition to this main report, there will be five background papers: 1) one covering methodology and literature issues, 2) a psychotherapy case study, 3) a diagnostic X-ray case study, 4) 17 other case studies of individual medical technologies, and 5) a review of international experience in managing medical technology. Another related study was published in September of 1979: A Review of Selected Federal Vaccine and Immunization Policies. The main report, The Implications of Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Medical Technology, was prepared by OTA staff. In preparing this report, OTA consulted with members of the advisory panel for the assessment, with the authors of the case studies prepared for the assessment, and with numerous other experts in economics, medicine, ethics, and health policy. Drafts of the final report were reviewed by the advisory panel chaired by Dr. John Hogness, by the Health Program Advisory Committee chaired by Dr. Frederick Robbins, and by approximately 75 other individuals and groups representing a wide range of disciplines and perspectives (see Acknowledgments in app. H). We are grateful for their assistance. John H. Sibbann JOHN H. GIBBONS |