Understanding the U.S. Health Services System, (4th Ed)

This book provides a straightforward explanation of the complex health services system. It explains the basic concepts as well as current issues to clarify how the U.S. health services system is organized, managed, and financed. This edition addresses the many changes happening in the U.S. health care system and updates data and statistics so readers can understand and discuss the current issues.

New in the fourth edition:

An update on the changes to Medicare coverage, including adding means testing on optional coverage for beneficiaries
A new discussion of the legislation the current administration would like to implement for universal healthcare coverage
A new focus on the quality-of-care debate and pay-for-performance incentives
New requirements for not-for-profit hospitals to report services provided in order to validate their tax status
An update on managed care and how universal coverage could change payment and delivery
Updated information on biomedical research and the debate on whether the United States will remain a leader in this effort
A new discussion of the effects of the current economic downturn on healthcare
An updated discussion on the status of the healthcare workforce and how nursing and possible physician shortages will affect our system
A discussion on health care expenditures and the estimated 47 million people who are currently uninsured
A master bibliography has been created and is now located at the back of the book
Updated glossary and acronym list
Instructor Resources: Discussion questions, group exercises, links to websites, PowerPoints slides, and a test bank. To see a sample, click the link in the right-hand navigation bar.

Phoebe Lindsey Barton, PhD, is Professor Emerita at the University of Colorado (UC). During her 18-year tenure at the Health Sciences Center campus, she directed the Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) program, taught courses in health care systems, health services research, and public health administration, the latter at UCLA’s School of Public Health. She was a consultant on RAND Corporation’s Health Policy staff from 1983 through mid-1990 and on the UCLA faculty from 1987–1990. Dr. Barton has been an administrator in two state health and human services departments (Idaho and Alaska). Her health services research interests include the financing and delivery of health services and programs, including Medicaid; technology assessment in the areas of organ transplantation and telemedicine; and health issues and services among incarcerated populations. She is currently working on an introductory textbook about the health services delivery system. Dr. Barton remains active with the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the national body that accredits programs and schools of public health, both in the United States and internationally.