Understanding Health Policy, Fifth Edition

by Thomas S. Bodenheimer, Keven Grumbach

An engaging and clinically applicable work on the principles and structure of the U.S. healthcare system A Doody's Core Title for 2011! "Eminently readable...Anyone wanting to gain insight into the forces that shaping health policy and the future of health care will appreciate this book."-- Critical Care Nurse Magazine Understanding Health Policy is the best-written, most informative book available on the subject--and it's the #1 choice for healthcare students and professionals alike. The authors carefully weave key principles, descriptions, and concrete examples into chapters that make important health policy issues both interesting and understandable. Fully updated to reflect current issues in the ever-changing world of healthcare, the newest edition addresses all the topics that affect you most, from the structure and organization of the industry to issues regarding government and private insurance, to access to healthcare. Everything you need to understand how the healthcare system works - and your role in it:

Genres: Health Care

222 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book for the first undergrad class I taught on the US healthcare system. I think that it clearly outlines the major themes in health policy and is a very clear way to learn about the US healthcare system and its many confusing components. Humorous, interesting and thought provoking.

[Nathan Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bodenheimer wrote the go-to textbook to understand the US health system. It was relevant 10 year ago when I studied it as a medical student, and I still go back to his clear writing and insights as a community physician and author.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Health care is complicated. This book makes it a little bit easier to not just understand the difference between Medicaid and Medicare (among many other things) but also HOW it happened to be that way. It makes me optimistic to see that other countries have succeeded in universal coverage in a variety of methods (not just single-payer). It makes me pessimistic, because as it turns out the system didn't get this screwed up all at once and people have tried to fix it previously, with the most "successful" ones solving one problems while creating others. The history helped put the last year in perspective, but I wonder if this will be the time that fixes it. Between working at a low-SES community health center and living with an unemployed person with chronic pain, I have some experience with the health care system, but this book was a clear, broad view of the larger picture. The vignettes overall were good and descriptive, but I could have done without the puns.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice, concise, easy-to-read, and up-to-date little review of how our health care system works (and how it doesn't). Great survey of a immensely complicated system with lots of questions and issues to ponder.

[Sarah Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better books that breaks down health policy, sorts through all the bullshit and makes it more accessible to understand.

[Court Corley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise introduction to health services. This book, supplemented with relevant recent articles, made learning, understanding, and critically evaluating health services domestically and abroad fun!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for people interested in the health care industry- It also made a great reference book for Discussion Boards

[Angeline Muday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standard mainstream primer. No histrionics. Good introduction to the system.