Governing Health: The Politics of Health Policy [Paperback]

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

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0801884322 | ISBN-13: 978-0801884320 | Publication Date: October 24, 2006 | Edition: 3rd

Governing Health examines health care policy making from a long-term, political perspective, describing how Congress, the president, special interest groups, bureaucracy, and state governments help define health policy problems and find politically feasible solutions. The third edition of this pathbreaking book is updated to cover recent legislative efforts, including the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

Praise for previous editions of Governing Health

Editorial Reviews

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 policymaking." - Daniel M. Fox, JAMA, reviewing a previous edition or volume "One of the most important books in health care policy to have been written in years." - Michael Harris, Perspectives on Political Science, reviewing a previous edition or volume "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, reviewing a previous edition or volume "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, reviewing a previous edition or volume"

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 )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 3rd edition (October 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801884322
• ISBN-13: 978-0801884320
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Medical Books > Administration & Medicine Economics > Health Policy

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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.