Completely expanded and updated to account for the latest changes in the U.S. health care system, this best-selling text remains the most concise and balanced introduction to the domestic health care system. Like its predecessors, it provides an accessible overview of the basic components of the system: healthcare personnel, hospitals and other institutions, the federal government, financing and payment mechanisms, and managed care. Finally, it provides an insightful look at the prospects for health care reform.

Steven Jonas, a revered expert in public health, has enlisted his colleagues, Drs. Raymond and Karen Goldsteen, to add their expertise in public health and health policy and management to this outstanding volume. All students of health care administration and policy, as well as practicing healthcare professionals who simply want a relatively brief overview of the system, will find it useful.

Foreword to the Sixth Edition
Preface to the Sixth Edition
Abbreviations

1. Introduction

Health and Health Care
Health Care Systems
U.S. Health Care System
Future of the U.S. Health Care System
References

2. Health Care Workforce

Overview
Physicians
Nursing
Physicians Assistants
Health Care Workforce Outside the Hospital and Physician Office
Conclusion
References

3. Hospitals and Other Health Care Institutions

Introduction
SOME NUMBERS
Hospital Structure
Public General Hospitals
The Hospital in the Present Era
Long-Term Care: The Example of Nursing Homes
References

4. Primary and Ambulatory Care

Primary Care
Ambulatory Care
Conclusions
References

5. Government and the Health Care System

Introduction
Some History
The Constitutional Basis of Government Authority in Health Care
The Health Care Functions of Government
The Federal Government and the Provision of Health Services
State Governments' Role in Health Services
Local Governments' Role in Health Services
Problems in Public Health
Conclusions
References

6. Financing and Payment of Health Care

Introduction
How Much is Spent
Where the Money Comes From, Within the System
Where the Money Goes
How the Money is Paid Out: Providers, Payers, and Payments
Conclusions
References

7. Health Care System Performance

Introduction
Quality of Health Care
Equity of Health Care
Efficiency of Health Care
A National Scorecard
Data and Information Technology
Conclusion
References

8. From Prepaid Group Medical Practice to Managed Care

Introduction
Medical Group Practice
Health Maintenance Organizations
Managed Care
Integrated Delivery Systems
Managed Care Today
Some Policy Issues in Managed Care
References

9. Health Care Reform

Introduction
History of Change
National Health Insurance (NHI)
Some Contemporary Approaches to NHI
Looking Ahead
References
Epilogue
Appendix I List of Critical Reports
Appendix IISources of Data
Appendix IIIGlossary of Terms