Use of a decision-analytic model in a health technology assessment: beyond measuring value for money

The well-designed, model-based cost-utility analysis by Ginsberg and colleagues provides useful information on the value for money of universal GBS screening in Israel. An extended application of the model-based approach used in the study could provide policymakers additional practical information on the budget impact of a potential universal GBS screening program. Such an approach could also be used to guide future research priorities in the prevention of GBS in Israel, by measuring the value of seeking further information to reduce the uncertainty in the cost-effectiveness of universal GBS screening. This is a commentary on http://www.ijhpr.org/content/2/1/6.