medicare

"This . . . book explains universal healthcare; the many forms it can take; and the issues, debates, and historical context underpinning the continued struggle for its implementation in the United States"--Provided by publisher.

"Eat smart, exercise regularly, and get routine health screenings," the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advises the public in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. And that is absolutely true - except for the checkup part. The American public has been sold the idea that seeking medical care is one of the most important steps to maintain wellness. However, surprisingly, medical care is not in fact well correlated with good health. The major determinants of health are outside individual medical care. Dr. Gilbert Welch pushes against established wisdom, and suggests that medical care may be too aggressive. From his twenty-five years of medical practice and research, Welch explains that excessive medical care is often powered by economics and lawyers. But American medical care would not exist in this state if the general public did not harbor powerful assumptions about the value of tests and treatments - a number of which are just plain wrong. "--.

A collection of essays offering differing prespectives about the issues and questions regarding Medicare, including if there are problems with Medicare spending, if doctors are dropping out of Medicare, will the Patient Protection and Affortable Care Act improve Medicare, and how can Medicare's problems be solved.

Presents a summary of the health care legislation signed into law by President Obama in the spring of 2010, discusses its impact on affected people, and provides a behind-the-scenes look at how the legislation came together.

Provides the history of Medicare, explains its current coverage, and discusses its future survival. Examines current issues about the plan, options for alternate coverage, long-term-care coverage, the funding crisis, Medicaid, and the recent health-care reforms. Includes photos, a timeline, a glossary, and an index.

Presents the text of twenty-one American social insurance laws in chronological order, spanning 1862-2000, along with essays providing historical context for each. Also includes a time line and a bibliography.