Publisher's Synopsis
Introduction to U.S. Health Policy analyzes the complexity of the American health system and the policy issues that must be confronted to achieve meaningful health reform.
Using case studies and simplified presentations of major issues, this text gives the reader an appreciation of the dilemma confronting policy makers, providers, and patients: how to balance cost, quality, and access. It examines specific health care organization aspects such as the medical profession, hospitals, managed care organizations, and government health care programs. It also discusses policy changes that have had major impacts on American health care in the past decade.