“You can always count on Americans to do the right thing – after they’ve tried everything else,” said Churchill. In this article within The Economist, a new prescription for the poor is introduced. America’s healthcare system for the poor is in the process of being transformed. The typical process for Medicaid providers is to bill a fee for each service they performed on behalf of the patient. In short, the more services they provide, the more they bill and the more money they make. In that same moment, the more we as taxpayers pay into this system. Providers are incentivized to keep patients unhealthy, bill for more services and make more money. This is a win-lose. Many states are introducing “managed care” into their Medicaid systems. Managed care programs cap the rate for the care of its members based upon a pre-determined agreement between the state Medicaid system and providers. If someone gets sick, the healthcare costs rise and the provider’s margins reduce. Providers are given a huge incentive to keep their patients healthy. This is a win-win. Advocates of managed care also testify that costs are made more predictable. Not only is a greater investment and emphasis placed on preventative care, providers working under a cap find a way to work within that budget. Also, the greatest change will come in improved patients’ health, standard of living, and longevity. The text (page 89) also introduces the economic benefits of managed care systems. The costs associated with the typical Medicaid pay-per-service systems are unpredictable and extremely variable. The managed care blueprint shifts the costs to a predictable, agreeable fixed amount.