The multiple players in the health care system all maintain key roles and face distinct challenges in the provision of care.  These range from the financing and technological issues facing facilities like hospitals and clinics; supply and educational challenges facing providers such as doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals; the shifting role of government in financing and regulating the delivery system.  The two overarching challenges before all segments of the health care system in the U.S. are improving the quality of health care and getting a handle on the rapid rate of growth in health care costs.  

This section contains resources on the various players in the U.S. health care system and the quality and delivery of care to patients.