In 2008, we explored the emergence of private heart hospitals in India whose outcomes rivaled those of top U.S. hospitals (low infection and readmission rates for coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG], angioplasties, and other cutting-edge procedures) at between 1/10 and 1/20 of the cost. We described how Indian hospital leaders exhibited a near-obsessive drive to offer the highest quality services at the lowest possible price. We concluded that even though India is far from a model of social justice in health care, American hospitals could learn a great deal from the organizational focus and structure of their Indian counterparts. We additionally wanted to challenge the preconceived notion in policy discussions that high health care costs were a consequence of high quality and that patients and providers could not economize without diminishing the clinical quality of care…..more