An adjective which describes a process which proceeds step-by-step, and each step adds an increment (increase in quantity or value) to the step preceding. The term is being used with a different meaning in health care reform discussions to mean a process of change which happens bit-by-bit rather than all at once; action in contrast with an approach in which substantial health care reform steps would occur simultaneously. A better word might be “additive.” Various actions of reform, such as cost controls and tort reform, for example, taken incrementally would be taken separately. Changes made one at a time might be less traumatic, but would extend the whole reform process over a considerable time, all essential changes might never occur, and generally the end result is not likely to be as complete a change as might be desirable. Furthermore, the pieces, when finally in place, may not fit together well.