Chronic Crisis: Critical Care for America's Collapsing Healthcare System (Hardcover)

by Selvoy M. Fillerup MD MSPH FACS (Author) "The United States' healthcare system has failed â  and Americans are paying the price in terms of both dollars and ill health..." (more)
Key Phrases: universal healthcare policy, cost redistribution model, capita healthcare costs, United States, Quantity Curve, Segment Shared Segment (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
I like the way you write for us ordinary people. I cannot think of any other profession (medical) that is so completely controlled by another and often conflicting industry: nsurance. You've opened up an area that must be addressed and soon. You've tackled one of the most complex issues of our time and your book is a monumental piece of work! --Richard Wm. Brundage, President, Center for Advanced Media Studies, Lenexa, KS

This is surely must-reading for those intrepid ones who grapple to untangle the Gordian Knot of health care policy. Practical, sensitive, sensible, attainable, and most critical to all citizens if we are ever to avoid a total meltdown of our healthcare system in the United States. Listen up America! Here's one that merits the fullest attention of all of us. --Alan K. Simpson, US Senator, Retired (WY)

We see lots of health policy books, most repeating familiar themes and refrains. This one has something new. ...(These) ideas deserve airing and attention. --John McDonough, PhD, Healthcare for All, Boston, MA

Product Description
The United States healthcare system leaks lives and dollars like a sieve. It neglects the needy and the poor. It is immoral. It is expensive. It is inefficient. It is, quite simply, broken. Dr. Selvoy Fillerup is an expert on international healthcare policy. As such, he has a uniquely informed perspective on why healthcare systems of other countries work, and why the US healthcare system does not. Chronic Crisis is straightforward, accessible, and direct to the point about one of the hottest political topics of our time. Explicitly nonpartisan, Dr. Fillerup offers a fresh look and reasonable solutions for this growing domestic crisis. Concerned Americans cannot afford to neglect this book!

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 226 pages
• Publisher: Acacia Publishing, Inc.; 2nd edition (September 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979253195
• ISBN-13: 978-0979253195
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,334,686 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Practical Review of Health Care in Industrialized Countries Around the World, June 9, 2009

By	Donald Gregory (Woodinville, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The perfect book for what is on the agenda in the U.S. today. Selvoy M. Fillerup covers not only the health care system we have in the U.S. but compares it to the health care systems in several other industrialized countries. For example, Canada, Great Britain, Switzerland, Germany, etc. A collection of policies that work - and ones that don't work - are proposed and explained not only in the context of effective health care but in the context of why they make good economic sense. An effective health care system is not only accessable it must also be solvent which is to say sustainable. Ironically, with universal health care individual health care costs in the U.S. go down.
What might an effective national health care policy look like?
1) Everyone has a choice between private or public health care coverage. Offering both private and public options leverages the strength of both systems. Private systems are good at innovating, reducing costs and expanding infrastructure. Public systems implement the social contract that everyone in a civilized society has access to basic health care services.
2) Everyone is enrolled in either the public or private system. This can be default or mandatory enrollment default being preferred as there are no penalties - legal actions - involved if someone fails to enroll thus the system is simpler.
3) Community rating for coverage pricing. Individual risks are not evaluated thus, again, simplifying the system and reducing one of the biggest coverage administration costs - risk analysis. The need for risk analysis of individuals is greatly reduced when coverage is guaranteed.
4) Guaranteed issue. Coverage under the uniform benefits package cannot be denied for prior history or any other reason. When you walk into a public or private health insurance office and ask for the basic coverage package you cannot be denied.
5) A uniform benefits package that includes catastrophic care. Public and private care compete on the uniform benefits package based on price, reputation, convenience and other factors but not on what the uniform benefits package actually covers.
It has been said that the U.S. has the best health care in the world... and the worst way of paying for it. Policy needs to set the guidelines or "playing field" in which the health care free market operates. With an effective policy - as outlined above - the free market can be an effective mechanism for health care delivery.

5.0 out of 5 stars ULTRA-fantastic book by GREAT surgeon, November 2, 2008

By	Laura Brown (Cody Wyo) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've known Dr. Fillerup for about 20 years and he is an extremely intelligent surgeon and human being. I am so glad he has put this book out there - which is phenomenal - to help ppl understand the road-blocks & limitations we have obtaining QUALITY healthcare / diagnostics and the near impossibility if you do not have insurance. Thanks Sel for your contribution to understanding this American Tragedy.