Healthcare, Guaranteed: A Simple, Secure Solution for America

by Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Victor Fuchs (Introduction)

America spends more than any other developed nation on healthcare -- 2.1 trillion in 2007 alone. But 47 million Americans remain uninsured, and of those Americans who are insured, many suffer from poor health. In his ground-breaking proposal, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel offers up a plan to comprehensively restructure the delivery and quality of our healthcare. By eliminating employer-healthcare and establishing an independent program to evaluate healthcare plans and insurance companies, he offers a no-nonsense guide to how government can institute private insurance options that will allow each of us a choice of doctor and plan.

With the rate of healthcare costs rapidly outpacing our gross domestic product, we can no longer afford to maintain our fragmented delivery of care, or entertain reforms that seek to patch, rather than cure, a fractured system. Accessible, straightforward, and revolutionary in its approach, Healthcare, Guaranteed is an inarguable guide to lasting healthcare reform.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Health Care, Economics

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2008

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is clear, concise and straight-forward. Emanuel explores the many problems of our fragmented, fee-for-service health care "system." He analyzes many of the general suggestions for health care reform, including mandates, single-payer plans and incremental reforms, though proposing a system called the Guaranteed Healthcare Access Plan. It would provide 100% of Americans with universal health care vouchers, financed by a 10% dedicated VAT, to receive guaranteed care through private insurance companies. I was previously in favor of a single-payer approach and hesitant of a plan that would rely so much on private insurance companies, but he makes a compelling argument to why this plan may offer the best solution. I'll keep reading more about it.

[Elsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We definitely have a problem with health care. Our current system was designed when doctors in buggies were visiting patients at home. We spend more money per person with the poorest results of all Level 4 countries (see Hans Roslings data in Factfulness). We need sweeping changes that are non partisan. I’m not sure this book has the answers but we certainly need to find out. At least it’s a great starting point.

[Jeff Brailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who disbelieves the American healthcare delivery and payment systems are terminally ill has never been sick themselves. American medical technology is arguably the best in the world, unfortunately the systems that bring it to the consumers are flawed.

The author uses government and industry statistics and facts to prove it. If facts and figures were not enough to get his point across, he presents heartbreaking personal anecdotes of patients throughout the country who have been victims of the American medical mess.

In Chapter 1, the author points out:

* American healthcare costs more per citizen than it does in any other country in the world. Switzerland comes in second, spending 50% less per capita than the USA.

* The infant mortality rate in the USA is two times that of Japan, Sweden and Norway.

* The USA has a lower life expectancy rate than Japan, France Canada or Germany.

* Annually, the USA has a higher percentage of people die from diabetes than any other developed nation in the world.

THE SYSTEM NOT ONLY IS BROKEN, IT IS BEYOND REPAIR. WE NEED A NEW ONE!

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healthcare is of extreme interest and importance. Of all the books and magazine articles currently in circulation, I picked this one because Dr. Emanuel is an advisor to the Obama administration on healthcare issues besides being the brother of the White House Chief of Staff. His proposal, the Guaranteed Healthcare Access Plan (GHAP), has many good features: coverage for 100% of all Americans; the same benefits available to members of Congress; free choice of health providers, and some bad points: funded by what is, in essence, a (regressive) national sales tax and it maintains the private insurance companies although severely controlled.

Overall, I was impressed enough to sign up for there email newsletters. If you want to know more you can check it out at: http://healthcareguaranteed.org

[Tal Shprecher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admire Emanuel for writing this book. It’s idealistic, but it will make the reader think. I didn’t buy the argument that a value added tax wouldn’t have deleterious effects on the rest of the economy, but something must pay for a true universal healthcare system.

Notably, he doesn’t propose a single payer system. He thinks we can do better if we’re to overhaul healthcare.

[Julia Wood]

W 275 AA1 E495 2008

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

He makes a good case for scrapping the current system to provide health insurance for all to be supported by a value-added tax on all purchases. Although written before Obama Health Care became law, he has an interesting discussion of why the new health care law (bandaging the current system with mandated health insurance along with financial assistance to those who can't afford it) is NOT a solution.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheesh, been working in health care/ health care policy for over 14 years...about time someone flipped off the policy wonks and laid it bare.

This is what happens when you take the politics out of a national issue (or is that crisis?)...it makes finding a solution so much easier, even possible.

If you want to know the reality of our healthcare system, read this.

[Amar · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very broad critique and even broader "solution", not too remarkable. Solid effort, but an issue this mammoth cannot possibly addressed in its deserving entirety through a short book like this (made even shorter with its mammoth font size!) Felt more like an introductory pamphlet for someone looking to get a preliminary understanding of the health care industry and its various problems.

[Chris Kemp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book if you want to understand the issues involved in health care reform.

[Cynthia]

a must read for everyone who thinks our country needs healthcare reform. the best plan i've seen around...

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! Read this book if you want to learn about a really good solution to the current healthcare crisis in America. I really enjoyed this book. Now I feel informed about the current issues.

[Amy]

Universal Healthcare w/o a government plan? I need to read this!

[Angeline Muday · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting academic analysis; however, solutions are politically unfeasible. I do respect Zeke Emanuel and his bioethics. Book just doesn't work.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy essay on where we should be heading! Reads like a research paper, but he makes excellent arguments for his position/recommendations. Ezekiel is the brother of Rahm Emanuel.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this back before "Obamacare" was passed. It helped to clarify some of the factors under consideration and made proposals not dissimilar from Wyden's. We know how that went.