From Book News, Inc.
The authors, who are policy researchers and economists, believe single-payer national health insurance is ineffective and dangerous. They assert that single-payer national health insurance depends on rationing by waiting, treats patients inequitably, denies the sick access to specialists and medical technology, favors the chronically ill over the acutely ill, and is expensive and unwieldy. After investigating the politics of medicine, they examine whether a system of managed competition is the answer and describe steps to take in designing an ideal health care system and health insurance. Published in cooperation with the National Center for Policy Analysis.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
This book will be an eye-opener for anyone who thinks a government-run system is the solution for our healthcare problem.
Donald J. Palmisano, M.D., J.D., President, American Medical Association, 2003-2004
American Medical Association strongly opposes single-payer national health insurance. "Lives at Risk" provides a wealth of evidence confirming AMA's position.
Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., Author of
This is the best book I have read on this subject.
Coverings
Thoroughly examines the systemic failures of national health insurance programs around the world.
Book Description
Virtually everyone agrees that our health care system needs reform. But what kind of reform? Some want a return to the system that prevailed in the 1950s. Others would like to see the adaptation of the government-run systems prevalent in other countries. The latter, national health insurance or single-payer health insurance, appears to be gaining ground in the United States. Before Americans find themselves participating in a health care system that has failed in every country it was adopted, we should be asking ourselves whether such a system is effective and efficient. In "Lives at Risk", the authors examine the critical failures of national health insurance systems without focusing on minor blemishes or easily correctable problems. In doing so, the purpose is to identify the problems common to all countries with national health insurance and to explain why these problems emerge. Most national health care systems are in a state of sustained internal crisis as costs rise and the stated goals of universal access and quality care are not met. In almost all cases, the reason is the same: the politics of medicine. The problems of government-run health care systems flow inexorably from the fact that they are government-run rather than market driven.
About the Author
John C. Goodman is the founder and president of the National Center for Policy Analysis. "The Wall Street Journal" called Dr. Goodman "the father of Medical Savings Accounts," and National Journal declared him "winner of the devolution derby" because his ideas on ways to transfer power from government to the people have had a significant impact on Capitol Hill. He is the author of seven books. Gerald L. Musgrave is president of Economics America, Inc., a senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, and a fellow at the National Association of Business Economists and chairman of its Health Economics Roundtable. Dr. Musgrave has written widely on health care and other issues and is the author or co-author of more than 60 publications. Devon M. Herrick is a senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis.
Lives at Risk: Single-Payer National Health Insurance in Countries around the World FROM THE PUBLISHER
Lives at Risk identifies 20 myths about health care as delivered in countries that have national health insurance. These myths have gained the status of fact in both the United States and abroad, even though the evidence shows a far different reality. The authors also explore the political and economic climate of the health care system and offer alternatives to the current health care public policies.
Art & Photography
Book Info
