Delivering Health Care In America

Delivering Health Care in America, Third Edition provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the basic structures and operations of one of the largest sectors of the U.S. economy. With the most current data, legislation, and overall system changes addressed, the third edition covers the conceptual basis for the system, its historical origins, the structures of ambulatory care, inpatient care, and other important services structures, the translation of these structures into health services themselves, and the manifestations of their impact on costs and quality. The text includes learning objectives, review questions, and key terminology.

Delivering Health Care in America, Eighth Edition is the most current and comprehensive overview of the basic structures and operations of the U.S. health system—from its historical origins and resources, to its individual services, cost, and quality. Using a unique “systems” approach, the text brings together an extraordinary breadth of information into a highly accessible, easy-to-read resource that clarifies the complexities of health care organization and finance while presenting a solid overview of how the various components fit together.

Delivering Health Care in America, Seventh Edition is the most current and comprehensive overview of the basic structures and operations of the U.S. health system—from its historical origins and resources, to its individual services, cost, and quality. Using a unique “systems” approach, the text brings together an extraordinary breadth of information into a highly accessible, easy-to-read resource that clarifies the complexities of health care organization and finance while presenting a solid overview of how the various components fit together.

Delivering Health Care in America, Sixth Edition is the most current and comprehensive overview of the basic structures and operations of the U.S. health system--from its historical origins and resources, to its individual services, cost, and quality. Using a unique "systems" approach, the text brings together an extraordinary breadth of information into a highly accessible, easy-to-read resource that clarifies the complexities of health care organization and finance while presenting a solid overview of how the various components fit together.While the book maintains its basic structure and layout, the Sixth Edition is nonetheless the most substantive revision ever of this unique text. Because of its far-reaching scope, different aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are woven throughout all 14 chapters. The reader will find a gradual unfolding of this complex and cumbersome law so it can be slowly digested. Additionally, as U.S. health care can no longer remain isolated from globalization, the authors have added new global perspectives, which the readers will encounter in several chapters.Key Features:- Comprehensive coverage of the ACA and its impact on each aspect of the U.S. health care system woven throughout the book- New "ACA Takeaway" section in each chapter as well as a new Topical Reference Guide to the ACA at the front of the book- Updated tables and figures, current research findings, data from the 2010 census, updates on Healthy People 2020, and more- Detailed coverage of the U.S. health care system in straightforward, reader-friendly language that is appropriate for graduate and undergraduate courses alike

In a clear, cohesive format, Delivering Health Care in America provides a comprehensive overview of the basic structures and operations of the US health system—from its historical origins and resources, to its individual services, cost, and quality. Using a unique “systems” approach, it brings together an extraordinary breadth of information into a highly accessible, easy-to-read text that clarifies the complexities of health care organization and finance, while presenting a solid overview of how the various components fit together. The fourth edition has been thoroughly updated with the latest information on: The global threat of avian influenza Health policy agenda of the Bush administration Progress towards Healthy People 2010 goals The effects of corporatization, information revolution, and globalization on health care delivery. The role of hospitals in the U.S. healthcare system The continuing nursing shortage Prospective payment initiatives for inpatient psychiatric facilities and inpatient rehabilitation facilities Pay-for-performance initiatives Trends in home health care services The role of long-term care hospitals and reimbursement for their services Disease management as a strategy to manage utilization The role of inpatient rehabilitation facilities Updated information on health services for special populations State strategies to provide universal coverage State Children’s Health Insurance Plan reauthorization issues The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief High-deductible health plans Insurance restructuring in Massachusetts Challenges in long-term care The era of evidence-based medicine Mandates of recent legislation such as the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 New Fifth Edition Now Available

Health care reform has dominated public discourse over the past several years, and the recent passage of the Affordable Care Act, rather than quell the rhetoric, has sparked even more debate. Donald A. Barr reviews the current structure of the American health care system, describing the historical and political contexts in which it developed and the core policy issues that continue to confront us today. This comprehensive analysis introduces the various organizations and institutions that make the U.S. health care system work—or fail to work, as the case may be. A principal message of the book is the seeming paradox of the quality of health care in this country—on the one hand it is the best medical care system in the world, on the other it is one of the worst among developed countries because of how it is organized. Barr introduces readers to broad cultural issues surrounding health care policy, such as access, affordability, and quality. He discusses specific elements of U.S. health care, including insurance, especially Medicare and Medicaid, the shift to for-profit managed care, the pharmaceutical industry, issues of long-term care, the plight of the uninsured, medical errors, and nursing shortages. The latest edition of this widely adopted text updates the description and discussion of key sectors of America’s health care system in light of the Affordable Care Act.

Second in a series of publications from the Institute of Medicine's Quality of Health Care in America project Today's health care providers have more research findings and more technology available to them than ever before. Yet recent reports have raised serious doubts about the quality of health care in America. Crossing the Quality Chasm makes an urgent call for fundamental change to close the quality gap. This book recommends a sweeping redesign of the American health care system and provides overarching principles for specific direction for policymakers, health care leaders, clinicians, regulators, purchasers, and others. In this comprehensive volume the committee offers: A set of performance expectations for the 21st century health care system. A set of 10 new rules to guide patient-clinician relationships. A suggested organizing framework to better align the incentives inherent in payment and accountability with improvements in quality. Key steps to promote evidence-based practice and strengthen clinical information systems. Analyzing health care organizations as complex systems, Crossing the Quality Chasm also documents the causes of the quality gap, identifies current practices that impede quality care, and explores how systems approaches can be used to implement change.