In Oregon, an important new mechanism for prioritizing health care resources is about to be introduced. It is based on a relatively simple cost/benefit formula, the best of available scientific knowledge as well as public opinion and sentiment. The formula is based on three factors: the cost of each treatment or procedure, the improvement in quality of life by giving the treatment and how long a patient would be healthy after treatment. The Oregon experiment may influence the delivery of health care not only in the United States. In modified form this approach may have even more wide-ranging implications in the Scandinavian countries where most of the health services are publicly funded.