A Second Opinion: Rescuing America's Health Care

by Arnold S. Relman

The U.S. healthcare system is failing. It is run like a business, increasingly focused on generating income for insurers and providers rather than providing care for patients. It is supported by investors and private markets seeking to grow revenue and resist regulation, thus contributing to higher costs and lessened public accountability. Meanwhile, forty-six million Americans are without insurance. Health care expenditures are rising at a rate of 7 percent a year, three times the rate of inflation. Dr. Arnold Relman is one of the most respected physicians and healthcare advocates in our country. This book, based on sixty years' experience in medicine, is a clarion call not just to politicians and patients but to the medical profession to evolve a new structure for healthcare, based on voluntary private contracts between individuals and not-for-profit, multi-specialty groups of physicians. Physicians would be paid mainly by salaries and would submit no bills for their services. All health care facilities would be not-for-profit. The savings from reduced administrative overhead and the elimination of billing fraud would be enormous. Healthcare may be our greatest national problem, but the provocative, sensible arguments in this book will provide a catalyst for change.

Genres: Health

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 23, 2007

Reviews

[Jwt Jan50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have a problem. We're not serious about fixing it. Congress and their minions have a great health plan. Too bad they're unwilling to share it with America. Getting harder and harder to actually believe we have a 'representative' government. You should read this book.

[Rob Jandl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although published in 2007 this esteemed physician rightly predicted many of the challenges we have today with medical practice and invited physicians to join the battle for universal healthcare.

[Travis Sundwall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book. Somewhat out of date by the time I read it.
Unfortunately, I don’t expect a sober, fact based assessment of the US healthcare system will sway public opinion on healthcare policy.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually met the author and had dinner with him. He is a leader in the universal healthcare field and a pioneer in our country as far as lobbying goes. I think that we are still a long way away from what he envisions, but he makes some great points. I recommend this book if you would like a different perspective on today's healthcare system needs. It is pretty dry with lots of charst and graphs.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading for school; overall, informative and not a bad read. I agree with many of his premises, but I admit I'm not well versed enough in the particulars of healthcare administration to know if his plan is the best one or even a viable one. I found his financial rationale for universal healthcare to be intriguing, but for me, universal healthcare is a moral imperative and approaching it from any other angle seems to miss the point. Overall, reading for school could be much, much worse.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a somewhat dry, but very thought provoking work. My greatest disappointment with it is that he suggests a possible solution to the problem of universal coverage in the US, identifies the barriers to achieving that goal and then refuses to suggest some interim or transitory solutions. So, great for intellectual debate, but won;t really help us get anywhere.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I keep referring to this book. Relman is an authority in US healthcare policy circles.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent argument for universal healthcare coverage, eliminating the profit motive.