Masters nursing- the key factors driving the cost of health care

It is evident from this weeks readings that healthcare spending in the United States far exceeds that of other countries, without resulting in significantly better population health outcomes or experiences with care.  Reduction in healthcare spending is necessary for the sustainability of the US economy.  The Affordable Care Act is a government effort to address these issues.  

Based on your reading assignments and your exploration of related websites (such as The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS] website on financing and the KFF Commission) what do you see as the key factors driving the cost of health care.  Take one of these factors and describe an action that does, or has potential to, decrease spending without reducing quality of care.  What can you as a nurse or other healthcare professional do to influence adaption of fiscally responsible practice or policy building? Provide some evidence to support your idea.