Two popular movies that bookend a two-decade span each coined a familiar catchphrase that defined their respective eras.

In 1976, it was "follow the money," only to be succeeded in 1996 by "show me the money." For supply chain managers, either serves as a mantra for budgeting and contract negotiations. As the economy teeters on the precipice of some semblance of recovery, those phrases evoke the C-suite’s mindset and their edicts to supply chain professionals nationwide.

Reflecting what supply chain managers need to function approrpriately, Healthcare Purchasing News publishes its annual Budget & Pricing Forecast as a year-end look at what’s ahead. HPN recruited four of the nation’s largest group purchasing organizations to share their pricing research with the industry at large and salutes Amerinet, MedAssets, Novation and Premier for their willingness to participate.

In the tables that follow you’ll find pricing projections for a wide range of products and services that you can apply to your own calculations for the coming year. You may note that some of the categories have wide variances. That’s due in part to specific contractual negotiations with a variety of vendors. Check out HPNOnline for updates in 2011.