Waubonsee Community College

Still broken, understanding the U.S. health care system, Stephen M. Davidson

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Still broken

bibliography

472720651

Stephen M. Davidson

understanding the U.S. health care system

Health care is, arguably, the most hotly debated topic since Barack Obama took over the presidency. Perspectives on the future of our system echo through the halls of Washington and in the living rooms of Americans. This book takes a close look at our problems, proposes how to solve them, and explains how to navigate our political system to effect positive change, and provides a thorough understanding of the forces that have produced the monumental problems that we face in health care today. Then, he makes a compelling case for overhauling our system, offering six elements that should be included in any plan for change. To begin, everyone must have insurance. Individuals and employers would pay a premium or tax earmarked for this purpose to a federal agency. Using the tax system is the simplest way to collect the money, and progressive rates are the fairest way for individuals and businesses to pay. Critically, the amounts that individuals and employers pay would be independent of health status. Insurers and health care plans must accept anyone who wants to enroll. But payments to them would be risk adjusted to protect them against adverse selection. Finally, patients' out of pocket payments must be limited so they can really access the services they need, and providers can make decisions based only on what procedures are appropriate. The author charts potential compromises to these six elements and the effects of those concessions, outlining a realistic political strategy. Whatever compromises are accepted, the underlying goal of reform must be to change incentives for all players who participate in the system. This goal cannot be achieved if we rely solely on market based solutions. This book argues that only a solution with a large public sector role can lead us to real reform. Based on the his 30+ years of studying and teaching about the U.S. health care system, this book provides clear and comprehensive tools to improve our declining health care system

The promise and disappointment of U.S. medical care -- How much we spend -- What we get for what we spend -- Trouble in the delivery subsystem -- Why the problems need to be solved and the goals of reform -- What caused these problems, and how can we attack them? -- Competition and the market or the public sector? -- Elements of a solution for increasing access to health care, improving quality of care, and containing health care expenditures -- A short history of health care reform efforts -- The politics of reform : elements of a strategy to break the logjam -- Strategy and compromise