According to the IOM, what is a primary issue affecting healthcare policy in the US?

The choice indicating "Good people working in bad systems" highlights a significant issue in healthcare policy as articulated by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). This perspective emphasizes that even with dedicated and skilled healthcare professionals, systemic flaws can hinder effective care delivery. Good professionals can be rendered ineffective if they operate within disorganized, outdated, or inefficient systems that impede communication, coordination, and overall workflow, ultimately affecting patient outcomes.

This issue draws attention to the need for reform at a systemic level rather than simply addressing individual shortcomings. It underscores the importance of creating and maintaining supportive environments where healthcare professionals can employ their skills effectively. This aligns with the IOM's broader focus on transforming healthcare practices and policies to improve quality and safety, reflecting that improving institutional systems is critical to enhancing health outcomes.

The other options, while relevant to healthcare challenges, do not encapsulate the systemic issue of how individuals can be compromised by the structures they work within, making this choice particularly poignant in discussions about healthcare policy reform.