The New England Journal of Medicine has published an interesting article that traces mortality and hospital costs over 200 years at Massachusetts General Hospital, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2011. The author conclude there have been four “eras” of value in U.S. medicine and states, “The post-2000 era, however, seems to be characterized by diminishing returns, with growth in costs far outpacing reductions in inpatient mortality.” Read more.