LEADER 04462nam 22006614a 450 001 9910345121603321 005 20240416224015.0 010 $a1-281-24431-7 010 $a9786611244316 010 $a0-8135-4115-8 024 7 $a10.36019/9780813541150 035 $a(CKB)1000000000471588 035 $a(EBL)334811 035 $a(OCoLC)476144507 035 $a(SSID)ssj0000262710 035 $a(PQKBManifestationID)11256207 035 $a(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000262710 035 $a(PQKBWorkID)10270680 035 $a(PQKB)10172760 035 $a(MiAaPQ)EBC334811 035 $a(OCoLC)122342787 035 $a(MdBmJHUP)muse8205 035 $a(DE-B1597)529279 035 $a(DE-B1597)9780813541150 035 $a(Au-PeEL)EBL334811 035 $a(CaPaEBR)ebr10167786 035 $a(EXLCZ)991000000000471588 100 $a20051207d2006 ub 0 101 0 $aeng 135 $aur|n|---||||| 181 $ctxt 182 $cc 183 $acr 200 14$aThe truth about health care $ewhy reform is not working in America /$fDavid Mechanic 205 $a1st ed. 210 $aNew Brunswick, N.J. $cRutgers University Press$dc2006 215 $a1 online resource (243 p.) 225 1 $aCritical issues in health and medicine 300 $aDescription based upon print version of record. 311 $a0-8135-4352-5 311 $a0-8135-3887-4 320 $aIncludes bibliographical references (p. 189-210) and index. 327 $aIs reform possible?: the need for change and forces against it -- What is disease and what should we treat? -- Saving lives individually or in populations -- The murky challenge of mental health -- The activated patient and the doctors' dilemma -- The neglect of long-term care -- The quest for quality -- Setting fair limits -- Restoring trust in the health system -- The challenge of change -- Steps in our health future. 330 $aThe United States spends greatly more per person on health care than any other country but the evidence shows that care is often poor and inappropriate. Despite expenditures of 1.7 trillion dollars in 2003, and growing substantially each year, services remain fragmented and poorly coordinated, and more than 46 million people are uninsured. Why can't America, with its vast array of resources, sophisticated technologies, superior medical research and educational institutions, and talented health care professionals, produce higher quality care and better outcomes? In The Truth about Health Care, David Mechanic 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. Mechanic 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. Bringing decades of experience as an active health policy participant, researcher, teacher, and consultant to the public and private sectors, Mechanic examines the strengths and weaknesses of our system and how it has evolved. He pays special attention to areas often neglected in policy discussions, such as the loss of public trust in medicine, the tragic state of long-term care, and the relationship of mental health to health care. For anyone who has been frustrated by uncoordinated health networks, insurance denials, and other obstacles to obtaining appropriate care, this book will provide a refreshing and frank look at the system's current and future dilemmas. Mechanic's thoughtful roadmap describes how health plans, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and consumer groups can work together to improve access, quality, fairness, and health outcomes in America. About the Author: 410 0$aCritical issues in health and medicine. 606 $aHealth care reform 606 $aMedical policy 615 0$aHealth care reform. 615 0$aMedical policy. 676 $a362.1/0425 700 $aMechanic$b David$f1936-$0882400 801 0$bMiAaPQ 801 1$bMiAaPQ 801 2$bMiAaPQ 906 $aBOOK 912 $a9910345121603321 996 $aThe truth about health care$92451525 997 $aUNINA