Governing Health: The Politics of Health Policy [Paperback]

Dr. Carol S. Weissert PhD (Author), Dr. William G. Weissert PhD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0801868467 | ISBN-13: 978-0801868467 | Edition: 2nd

In the first edition of the acclaimed Governing Health, Carol S. Weissert and William G. Weissert examined health care policy making from a long-term political perspective, describing how Congress, the president, special interest groups, bureaucracy, and state governments helped define health policy problems and find politically feasible solutions. Now, in this second edition, the authors have expanded their coverage and analysis to demonstrate their themes in four key time periods: 1965, when Medicaid and Medicare were passed; 1981, when OBRA came into being; 1994, when health care reform was at the forefront of President Clinton's agenda; and 2000, when health care reform formed a part of the presidential campaign platforms.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the most important books in health care policy to have been written in years. It demonstrates that institutions and politics do matter. Governing Health is stimulating, thoughtful, and well written. It is highly recommended for all those who teach and study health care policy." -- Michael Harris, Perspectives on Political Science

"For those unacquainted with the health policy process, this book is valuable for its comprehensive view of the policy process and its up-to-date information about the major institutions and policy actors... This book probably will be most useful to the health professional seeking to learn more, both generally and in particular, about the politics of health policy. Governing Health also brings together and systematically organizes many of the political scientists' most relevant concepts, typologies, and maxims -- which add perspective and are useful for their interpretive power." -- David G. Smith, Inquiry

""A useful textbook for those in medical care with only a passing knowledge of the patterns of federal policy making in the postwar period." -- New England Journal of Medicine

"No other book offers a better overview of what every health professional or anyone who is intensely interested in health affairs should know about policymaking." -- Daniel M. Fox, Ph.D., Journal of the American Medical Association

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

No other book offers a better overview of what every health professional or anyone who is intensely interested in health affairs should know about the politics of policy making.

(JAMA )

One of the most important books in health care policy to have been written in years.

(Michael Harris Perspectives on Political Science )

Even for those who have studied health policy extensively, the Weisserts’ book is so thorough (and absorbing) that one can expect to encounter new information, research findings, and insights.

(Deborah McFarlane Journal of Health Politics, Policy, and Law )

A useful textbook for those in medical care with only a passing knowledge of the patterns of federal policy making in the postwar period.

(Theodore R. Marmor New England Journal of Medicine ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 2nd edition (March 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801868467
• ISBN-13: 978-0801868467
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,714,939 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best book in print on the health policy process, February 20, 2002

By 

S. Wallace (UCLA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Governing Health: The Politics of Health Policy (Paperback)

I have used this book for a number of years now in a class I teach on the Politics of Health Policy (along with Kingdon's classic). It provides an excellent overview of how health policy is made and the politics around it, drawing on both the academic literature as well as recent policies. The second edition is heavily revised from the first and contains up to date examples. An excellent academic overview of the health policy process.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Look at Health Policy from a Political Science Perspective, February 28, 2001

By 

copuf (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Governing Health: The Politics of Health Policy (Paperback)

This book takes a comprehensive look at health policy in the U.S. from a political science perspective. It addresses all the institutional influences of health policy, such as Congress, the President, interest groups, regulatory agencies, and federalism. It also addresss prominent political science theories and relates them to health policy.

This book is a must-read for any health professional or student who would like to explore the how health policy is REALLY developed. I also highly recommend this book to social scientists and students who are interested in applying governmental relationships to health policy.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Read that Explains How Policy is Made, April 19, 2005

By 

C. K. Dark (Washington D.C.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Governing Health: The Politics of Health Policy (Paperback)

I am taking a course in Health Policy and the Political System and opted to use this book instead of that recommended by my professor. This book examined all the important aspects of policy making - paying close attention to the political actors - and has helped tremendously in my understanding of the politics surrounding health policy.