Health Care Will Not Reform Itself: A User's Guide to Refocusing and Reforming American Health Care

by George C. Halvorson

Health care reform is within our reach. According to George Halvorson, CEO of the nation's largest private health care plan, only by improving the intent, quality, and reach of services will we achieve a health system that is economically feasible into the future. This year, Americans will spend 2.5 trillion for health services that are poorly coordinated, inconsistent, and most typically focused on the belated care of chronic conditions. What we have to show for that expenditure is a nation that continues to become more obese, less healthy, and more depressed. In Health Care Will Not Reform Itself , Kaiser Permanente CEO George Halvorson proves beyond a doubt that the tragically inconsistent care that currently defines the state of U.S. health services is irresponsible, irrational, but more importantly, fixable. With detail that might shock you, he shows why the nonsystem we now use is failing. Then, applying the same sensible leadership that makes Kaiser the most progressive health care organization in the world, he answers President Obama’s mandate for reform with a profound incentive-based, system-supported, goal-focused, care-improvement plan. Halvorson draws from respected studies, including his own, and the examples of successful systems across the world to show that while good health care is expensive, it is nowhere near as costly as bad health care. To immediately curb care costs and bring us in line with President Obama's projected parameters, he recommends that While this book offers sage advice to policy makers, it is also written to educate the 260 million stakeholders and invite their participation in the debate that is now shaping. What makes this plan so easy to understand and so compelling is that it never strays from a profound that the best health system is one that actually focuses on good health for everyone. All royalties from the sale of this book go to Oakland Community Healthcare for the Underserved

Genres: Nonfiction, Health Care, Health, Politics, Business

184 pages, Hardcover

First published May 27, 2009

Reviews

[Zach Kosky]

Okay book, but written in a fairly disjointed way. When reading it, you have to remember that it is written by the CEO of a health insurance organization right before Healthcare reform was passed. The Healthcare reform legislates on increase in health insurance membership, so insurance companies benefit. So, there is a question of conflict of interest.

He also bravely addresses rising healthcare costs and points out that a large part of it is due to a shortage of healthcare workers. There are several reasons for the shortage, but he stops short of addressing them.

[Elmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poorly written but gives good information to the reader. If you’re looking for direct causes rather than what the problems are, this is not the book you’re looking for.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even in post-Affordable Care Act (I cave sometimes and call it "Obamacare") America, there is still much progress yet to be made in healthcare access and delivery. Let's not even mention the nasty political environment that the ACA and other reform efforts sit in, either. I had Health Care Will Not Reform Itself recommended to me by some well-meaning person who heard I was doing a Master of Public Health, and who thought it was revelatory. I can't agree that it's so mind-blowing - especially a few years later, and after the Health Policy and Management core class - but it does get the fundamentals right.

Halvorson, the onetime CEO of Kaiser Permanente, summarizes many good arguments for healthcare reform: the payment incentives are all wacky, good care is not rewarded (often bad care is), and care needs to be managed cooperatively, particularly for chronic conditions. But the book itself is often repetitive, strangely organized, and a bit dry. Also, given the changes since the ACA has been implemented, it's not as relevant anymore.

Halvorson also strongly argues for making healthcare a more efficient marketplace, with consumers/patients sensitive to the price of care. Perhaps elements of a market should exist, but I'm still of the belief that market forces won't work best for healthcare - it's a basic human right we're talking about here, not a new flatscreen TV.

[Jeff Dieden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent review of the issues confronting health care reform from an experienced voice. Simple and understandable reading. The problem is in the solutions - the author's suggestions are as likely to be embraced as those frequently put forth in the national debate (i.e., unlikely). Not his fault, but still frustrating to the reader.

[Judy Churchill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited through the first two thirds of this book, but the last third was simply repetition. Halvorson has lived health care for thirty years and has a no nonsense, very practical approach to its reform. Set goals, integrate care and connect every provider so accurate care can be given. It is well worth the time to read.

[Bologna_frog]

http://www.thegatesnotes.com/Books/He...

It's on Bill Gates reading list. Not a bad place to look for worthwhile books to read.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best book on what it will take to truly reform healthcare in America

[James]

So far a great introduction by the head of Kaiser to perhaps the biggest problem facing the US.