“John Goodman remains one of the clearest advocates for the value of markets, and not governments, in enabling better healthcare, and this book is a superb illustration of his talents. Although many Americans would be against an industry structure where they were mandated to purchase a product from a single monopoly, that’s how health plans of most of the world are set up, including Medicare and Medicaid in the US. Goodman again brilliantly lays out many of the fundamental problems with such an industry structure and demonstrates why citizens would be better served by an industry with voluntary payments to competing plans.”
—Tomas J. Philipson, Daniel Levin Professor of Public Policy Studies Emeritus, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy

“John Goodman, the ‘father of Health Savings Accounts,’ has once again delivered a splendid economic analysis of American healthcare, which now accounts for almost one-fifth of the entire American economy. In this second edition of Priceless, he once again focuses on why Americans are paying so much for healthcare, and why we are still plagued with deficiencies in the quality of our care, gaps in coverage, and even worsening options for persons with preexisting medical conditions. Especially enlightening is Goodman’s data-rich assessment of Obamacare, a massive Medicaid expansion combined with unprecedented federal regulatory control over private health insurance markets. While Obamacare did little to expand private insurance coverage, it accelerated cost increases for taxpayers and patients alike. Meanwhile, we have been trapped, Goodman argues, in a web of perverse incentives. America can break out of this trap only through patient power: giving patients control over their healthcare dollars and incentivizing medical professionals to play at the top of their game. Freedom works.”
—Robert Moffit, senior research fellow, Center for Health and Welfare Policy, The Heritage Foundation

“Health economist John Goodman’s Priceless tells us how to improve US healthcare by using prices. Prices work well in guiding our choices of food, haircuts, and cell phones. Goodman shows that the few areas in healthcare where consumers are faced with actual prices, such as LASIK, do well; prices have actually fallen and quality has improved. Why not, he asks, use that knowledge in the rest of the healthcare system? Read and learn.”
—David R. Henderson, research fellow, Stanford University’s Hoover Institution; and former senior economist for health policy with the President’s Council of Economic Advisers

John C. Goodman, acclaimed as the "father of Health Savings Accounts" by The Wall Street Journal, is a leading health policy thinker. Author of nine influential books, including "New Way to Care: Social Protections that Put Families First", Goodman's work has significantly impacted health care reform. He frequently appears on television, contributes to major newspapers, and advises Congress on economic policy. Goodman holds a PhD in economics from Columbia University and has received the Duncan Black award for his contributions to public choice economics.