There is no question that managed care is managed cost, and the idea is that you can save a lot of money and make health care costs less if you ration it.

In this quote, Charlie Norwood, a former U.S. Congressman, addresses the concept of managed care in the context of the U.S. healthcare system. He argues that while managed care aims to provide more affordable healthcare, it ultimately focuses on managing cost rather than improving the quality of care. Norwood's statement highlights the practice of rationing healthcare, which is often implemented in managed care systems as a means of reducing expenses. This approach involves limiting access to certain treatments or services to control costs, which can sometimes lead to individuals receiving less care than they need.

Norwood’s quote suggests that the primary goal of managed care is not necessarily to improve patient outcomes but to find ways to cut costs. While the intention may be to reduce healthcare expenditures and make healthcare more affordable, this can come at the expense of adequate treatment. The practice of rationing can result in delays in care or limitations on the types of treatments available to patients, potentially affecting their overall health.

By using the term rationing, Norwood draws attention to the ethical dilemma of restricting healthcare access in order to save money. Rationing healthcare is a controversial subject, as it raises concerns about fairness and equity in the system. Critics argue that rationing can disproportionately affect low-income individuals or those with chronic conditions, leading to inequities in care.

Ultimately, Norwood’s statement is a critique of the way managed care is structured, pointing out that the system's focus on cost control can sometimes undermine the quality of care that patients receive. While the intention is to make healthcare more affordable, the trade-off between cost savings and the adequacy of treatment is an ongoing issue in the healthcare debate.