Managed health care organizations typically require their members to pay more if they choose specialists and hospitals that are not on a restricted list.

President Bush has repeatedly urged private insurers to disclose such data, saying it will help consumers choose doctors and hospitals.

Its citizens, however, can choose their own doctors and hospitals.

People can choose their own doctors and hospitals.

The Government study is intended to help patients and their families choose hospitals.

Some consumers would have to sacrifice some of their freedom to choose doctors and hospitals.

Typically, these states require patients to enroll in some form of managed care, which limits their freedom to choose doctors and hospitals.

And hospital officials said patients should not hesitate to use the ratings in choosing hospitals.

Dr. Jha agreed that patients should use the ratings to choose hospitals.

Under the second option, Medicare beneficiaries would enroll in private health plans that gave patients freedom to choose their doctors and hospitals.