The truth about health care : [publication] : why reform is not working in America /
by
Mechanic, David
.
Material type: 
BookSeries: Critical issues in health and medicine.Publisher: New Brunswick, N.J. : Rutgers University Press, 2006, cop. 2006Description: XI, 228 p. ; 24 cm.ISBN: 9780813538877.SAPHIR theme(s): Santé publiqueMeSH subject(s): Health Care Reform | Delivery of Health Care | Health Policy | Insurance, Health | United StatesPUBLICATION TYPE SAPHIR: MonographSummary: In this book, the author explains how health care in America has evolved in ways that favor a myriad of economic, professional, and political interests over those of patients. While money has always had a place in medical care, "big money" and the quest for profits has become dominant, making meaningful reforms difficult to achieve. The author acknowledges that railing against these influences, which are here to stay, can achieve only so much. Instead, he asks whether it is possible to convert what is best about health care in America into a well functioning system that better serves the entire population. [
] [Ed.] [Contents] 1. Is reform possible ? The need for change and the forces against it. - 2. What is disease and what should we treat ? 3. Saving lives individually or in populations. - 4. The Murky Challenge of Mental Health. - 5. The activated patient and the doctor's dilemma. - 6. The neglect of long-term care. - 7. The quest for quality. - 8. Setting fair limits. - 9. Restoring trust in the health system. - 10. The challenge of change. - 11. Steps in our health future.
In this book, the author explains how health care in America has evolved in ways that favor a myriad of economic, professional, and political interests over those of patients. While money has always had a place in medical care, "big money" and the quest for profits has become dominant, making meaningful reforms difficult to achieve. The author acknowledges that railing against these influences, which are here to stay, can achieve only so much. Instead, he asks whether it is possible to convert what is best about health care in America into a well functioning system that better serves the entire population. [ ] [Ed.] [Contents] 1. Is reform possible ? The need for change and the forces against it. - 2. What is disease and what should we treat ? 3. Saving lives individually or in populations. - 4. The Murky Challenge of Mental Health. - 5. The activated patient and the doctor's dilemma. - 6. The neglect of long-term care. - 7. The quest for quality. - 8. Setting fair limits. - 9. Restoring trust in the health system. - 10. The challenge of change. - 11. Steps in our health future.