McKinsey Quarterly recently reported on the effect of competition on delivery of quality healthcare. Finding that a “judicious use of provider competition can produce desired results” in healthcare delivery, McKinsey authors Penelope Dash, MD and David Meredith nevertheless caution that some socialization (read: governmental oversight) of the system is necessary and constructive.

Sifting empirical evidence through economic theory, Dash and Meredith provide “a framework that health systems can employ to decide” the best use of competition to “drive access to high quality, efficient care.”

With a Republican Congress ascending to House rule in January and cleaving to its mantra that competition creates a “virtuous cycle of innovation, high quality, and efficiency,” the McKinsey report might prove if not clairvoyant in terms of healthcare reform, then at least instructive.

Sink your teeth into the report. (free registration may be required).