A new report from Trilliant Health argues that misaligned incentives are at the root of several persistent problems in U.S. healthcare. The analysis identifies six trends that link financial and structural incentives to rising costs, poor health outcomes, and workforce shortages.
According to the report, the current incentive structure rewards volume over value, leading to care that is more expensive and less effective. These misaligned incentives also strain the healthcare workforce, as clinicians face pressures that contribute to burnout and shortages.
The findings underscore the need for payment and delivery reforms that align incentives with patient outcomes rather than service volume. Without such changes, the report suggests, systemic problems will likely continue.