The majority of our population now lives in metropolitan areas, and the hospital and health problems of these areas constitute the problems of physicians, local and state government, national government, and society generally. The ability of physicians to cope with future hospital and related health facility planning problems will depend upon their ability to work towards effective solutions to the many hospital and health planning problems facing the nation today. Is it possible to overcome unrelated, individual, and sometimes selfish action on the part of some physicians and some hospital boards of trustees? Is it possible to attain overall hospital planning at the metropolitan and regional level? Is it possible to develop within the medical profession a vigorous and dedicated leadership that will let those persons responsible for patient care help our cities and metropolitan areas control their destinies? Many believe that it is possible, but that it will require