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Dissecting American Health Care: Commentaries on Health, Policy, and Politics

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I found this to be an interesting collection of essays. As a health care provider and health care consumer I was able to relate to something in each brief column. The essays range from humerous observations from an insiders standpoint to provocative questions on the state of healthcare, to personal experirnce in caring for an aging parent with Alzheimers. Interesting, funny and thought provoking, I enjoyed it very much.

Doug Kamerow has been a leader in preventive medicine in the United States for nearly 30 years. His insights and practical approaches to what's right and wrong in the health care system in the US are invaluable for anyone doing health policy. These short essays are clearly written in layman's language, but are sufficiently detailed to show policy experts and lay voters clear ways of thinking toward solutions to the problems in the US. For example, for this time of year (December) his essay entitled, "Scientists shed light on festive medical myths" from 2008 is still relevant today. His "Mammograms, poor communication, and politics" essay gives sage advice on how the US Preventive Services Task Force should improve their method of communicating with the public and policy makers, particularly during politically sensitive times. I'd recommend this to anyone, lay or professional, interested in good thinking, not just rhetoric or ideology, related to health care in the US.

Halley S. Faust, MD, MPH, MA, President-Elect, American College of Preventive Medicine

Health care is not only in the news but is a critical concern for every citizen. From his perspective as a public health official, researcher, practitioner, patient, and journalist, Dr. Kamerow is in a unique position to see today's health care debate from each of these various points of view. The book contains discussion, therefore, of not only public policy and economic issues, but also scientific and technical ones, which are presented in an easily understood format. Discussion and change on health care are only just beginning. It behooves those who are participants in the debate to broaden their knowledge base. This book is an excellent way to start that process.

Take 1 pound of the American Health Care System, mix it with 1/2 pound of the American Political System, add in a heaping tablespoon of insider awareness and a teaspoonful of common sense. Finally, season it with a pinch of idealism, "the possibilities and the potential". Stir until mixed thoroughly and then bake until well done. All together this is a recipe for an insightful book that Dr. Kamerow has compiled for the people who are partaking in this meal, the American Public.

Perhaps Dr. Kamerow is not currently a decision maker on these issues, (I don't know that), but he certainly seems capable and willing to monitor, analyze, and critique what it is that the decision makers are cooking up in regards to the health care system in America. There are some good items on the menu too, such as our detection and treatment of HIV just to name one.

I am grateful to know that Dr. Kamerow is out there tracking the current events regarding health care in America and also that he is willing to share his viewpoint in plain language to educate those of us who do not have the time or the inclination to stay current on these issues. I heartily recommend this book because it offers some overview of where we've been with health care in this country, where we are now, and perhaps the direction we are headed, along with some of the key issues, the opportunities, and the dangers.

After reading this book and getting a sense of the state of health care in America, I have a question about the menu. What's the soup today?

Readable, engaging, and lively, but most of all insightful commentary on a wide array of health and health care policy issues. Even the essays from two or more years ago have something to say pertinent to today's issues. As health care reform continues to be a front-page issue, much in this book offers relevant information pointing to the need for science and common sense to be wedded on behalf of long-overdue improvements to the nation's "nonsystem" for delivering health care to all who need it.

Dr. Kamerow has been at the leading edge of prevention for many years. I always read his essays when published in the medical journals. Now they are all here in one great book. His writing is excellent, as he puts difficult issues into easy to understand language. He dissects the problems while giving thoughtful commentary. Always a great read.

Dr Kamerow is something of a rare bird, a medical doctor who is an expert on health policy and who can also explain complex topics in plain English. And not in dry prose: For example, Dr. Kamerow illustrates the hopeless complexity of the Medicare Part D drug benefit program with a personal story of his efforts to figure out the best plan for his mother. "Dissecting American Health Care" covers a broad range of contemporary health topics. If you want to better understand some of the key health issues that we face today, this book was written for you.

Dr. Kamerow presents these issues that are so important to us all in a way that both informs and inspires deep and honest reflection on a variety of critical health care topics. Best part is his humor which makes it a truly enjoyable read!

Much like his NPR essays, Dr. Kamerow delivers insightful and entertaining thoughts on a wide range of medical topics that are clearly written for the lay person. A good read.

I first encountered Dr. Kamerow's essays read by him on National Public Radio. As a non medical person I appreciated his ability to speak to
U.S. health care issues in an engaging and comprehensible manner . Besides being very knowledgeable he is an excellent writer.
I highly recommend his book to anyone who is interested in health care issues.