Customer Reviews

Toward a 21st Century Health System: The Contributions and Promise of Prepaid Group Practice (J-B Public Health/Health Services Text)

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The design of the book, flows effortlessly in a cogent and empirical manner. PGPs are a viable alternative in providing health coverage to all Americans. The most salient features such as preventive services, operational efficiency and standard of quality are commendable. Particular chapters which might be of interest to the reader are two, four, six, ten and twelve. This is a particularly good read. Especially, during the present debate and political machinations in effecting some element of health care reform. This is a platform towards designing an actual health care system on a national basis, which is absent.

Presently, there are thousands of defragmented health care systems and only four or so systems which meet the definition/structure of a universal system(VA health, Military Health, Medicare and Medicaid). Now the best aspect of this book, is that its written by Dr. Enthoven himself. He was instrumental in the Clinton health initiative, besides the politics he must had to endure. After all, he is responsible for coining the term, "managed competition," however, it has been misconstrued by many politicians.

Economics is key to everything, and health care is just one facet. Therefore, Congress has developed legislation which is highly favorable towards corporate interests. This is a continuing conflict between two competing economic theories: economic theory versus public interest theory. This is a must read for future health administrators, politicians, health practitioners, and especially, for those undergrad and graduate students in health administration programs.