Controversial Issues in Health Care Policy

In the last 35 years, health care in the US has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. Americans view access to health care as important and take pride in their excellent medical care technology. However, there is growing consensus that the US health care system is in crisis - but there is far less agreement on what to do about it. This book examines the major controversies confronting American society, health care professionals and policy makers: access to health care, costs and financing health care and the quality of health care. Kronenfeld discusses whether the system can solve these problems or whether there is a health care system at all.

Experts agree--the U.S. has achieved the most technologically advanced medical care system in the world and it provides the highest quality, most comprehensive medical education available. Can we conclude that our health care system is one of America′s success stories? It appears--we cannot. However, amid growing concern over our health care system, there is far less agreement on what to do about it. Jennie Kronenfeld addresses major health care controversies confronting American society, health care professionals, and policymakers. This intriguing book focuses on the overlapping area between policy sciences and health care studies, particularly the cost, access, and quality of health care. Kronenfeld discusses whether our system can solve its problems, or whether we have a health care "system" at all. Do we have a national health care "policy," or a web of state, county, and city policies? And, what of fundamental changes being adopted in the midst of the controversies surrounding reproductive health and abortion, mental health and behavioral health, disease patterns/physical health/AIDS, aging and long-term care, as well as the professions and facilities who provide care? A provocative examination of these important issues, Controversial Issues in Health Care Policy is essential reading for students of policy studies, health services, and sociology, as well as for policymakers, and health care professionals.