Healthcare providers can’t be thrilled by a Massachusetts website provision in its new state health care reform law. The new provision would allow consumers to shop and price compare different operations such as ultrasounds and tonsillectomies on the Internet.

This measure in effect commoditizes certain medical procedures far beyond what is presently the case. Doctors and health systems will not like this at all. However, I don’t know too many expecting mothers that will choose their Caesarean section based on a quoted price on a website. Politicians in Massachusetts however hope the move will save money.

In addition to cost comparing for tests, surgeries and therapies, the state website will also allow users to compare the quality and ratings of different hospitals and clinics.

This of course is not simply a theoretical stretch. You can get a glimpse into the future by doing a search for "dialysis" at www.Froogle.com. Of course, no surgeries are currently listed, but you get the point…

Read Web site would let consumers compare costs of operations

Background at Massachusetts Health Care Quality and Cost Information