Introduction to U.S. Health Policy [Paperback]

Donald Barr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0205324193 | ISBN-13: 978-0205324194 | Edition: 1

Provides a clear description of all key aspects of the health care system to make it easier for the reader to evaluate the potential impact of proposals for health care reform. Using case studies and simplified presentations of major issues, this book 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. For health care providers, policy makers, consumers and others interested in health care in the U.S.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Excellent starting point for exploring the complexities of US healthcare.

(Future Survey 2007)

This book stands out for its emphasis on the historical roots of modern health care institutions... Barr's new book has much to recommend it.

(JAMA 2008)

A lucid and informative overview of the U.S. health system and the dilemmas policy makers currently face... Even those knowledgeable about the U.S. health care system are likely to find much to stimulate their thinking.

(Audrey R. Chapman Philosophy, Ethics, and Humanities in Medicine 2008)

Barr's book is intended to inform the reader of the complex history of health care in the United States.

(Katarzyna Kowalska Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Excellent starting point for exploring the complexities of U.S. healthcare.

(Future Survey )

This book stands out for its emphasis on the historical roots of modern health care institutions... Barr's new book has much to recommend it.

(JAMA )

A lucid and informative overview of the U.S. health system and the dilemmas policy makers currently face... Even those knowledgeable about the U.S. health care system are likely to find much to stimulate their thinking.

(Philosophy, Ethics, and Humanities in Medicine ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 245 pages
• Publisher: Benjamin Cummings; 1 edition (November 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205324193
• ISBN-13: 978-0205324194
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,048,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The basics of understanding health care, November 29, 2009

By 

Thomas K. Neill (Lexington, KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to U.S. Health Policy: The Organization, Financing, and Delivery of Health Care in America (Paperback)

In these days of intense debate over health care reform, this should be a non-fiction best-seller. Written as a textbook to inform medical students in the area of health policy, Dr. Barr integrates issues of culture, economics, and medicine in a highly readable overview of our current U.S. healthcare system. He illustrates a number of problems by contrasting the evolution of our healthcare system, and the strongly held political/cultural assumptions that underlie it, with the evolution and values underlying the Canadian system. He is realistic about the struggles of both systems. A number of U.S. practices and assumptions don't make for better medicine. This text goes a long way towards helping the reader understand the problems in ways that are necessary before tackling solutions. Dr. Barr offers several critical options (some implicit and others explicit) for improving U.S. health care.

0 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars health policy book, November 21, 2009

By 

C. Pelayo - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to U.S. Health Policy: The Organization, Financing, and Delivery of Health Care in America (Paperback)

I ended up returning this book since I no longer needed it for my class. The seller was amazing in this process. I returned my book right away and got my refund in FULL right away. I had no problems asking the seller if I could return this book and without even mentioning if I can get a full refund, the seller replied my message and mentioned I would get a full refund once I return the book. Great service.