THE FUTURE will be characterized by continued challenges for the US healthcare system. Revenue and cost pressures will mount. The economy and demographic shifts will impact healthcare utilization and payer mix. Industry disruption will continue. Margins and cash flow will be affected, and capital will become scarce. We will see calls for further, potentially massive reform across multiple sectors of the economy, including healthcare. And while the future may well be subject to these many points of uncertainty, one thing is certain: left unchecked, healthcare provider economics will remain in critical condition and perhaps worsen. This whitepaper series codifies ECG’s perspectives on the changing dynamics of the US healthcare system and offers strategic and tactical insights to help today’s healthcare leaders make the critical decisions that will ensure the viability of their organization and mission.