THE CASE FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE

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With the exception of the United States, all developed nations provide their citizens with quality, affordable health care.  And, despite its having expanded access through such programs as Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, and the Affordable Care Act, nearly 20 million Americans still do not have health insurance.

The cost of providing care in the United States will soon be unsustainable.  It surely makes sense to consider an option that ensures health care is accessible to all its citizens and is fully funded regardless of vicissitudes in the national economy.  This book is a must read for anyone concerned with the failure of the current system and looking for an alternative.  Colton’s proposal for universal health care is thoroughly explained, including:

  • a description of services provided
  • how we’ll pay for it
  • how it is organized for delivery
  • why it will save consumers money, and
  • how it will ensure standards for quality and clinical effectiveness.

“Beginning with educational information and building a solid argument for universal health care The Case for Universal Health Care’s plan seems not only feasible, but necessary.” TANISHA RULE, Foreword Reviews

“In this incisive and comprehensive book, David Colton take on the formidable task of explaining how America’s health care system works, why it fails in terms of cost, efficiency and quality of care and why it must be reformed… an invaluable resource …” JILL QUADAGNO, Author, One Nation Uninsured: Why the US Has No National Health Insurance

“…an excellent book, making a most unwieldy subject accessible and interesting to read. He deftly brings in pop culture, personal stories, and history in a way that brings this important public policy question come alive…”  JULIE SALAMON, author, Hospital

A must read for anyone concerned about America’s health care system, especially those advocating for single-payor and “Medicare for All”… Highly recommended.” STEVEN A. MOSHER, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Health Care Administration

  

 

 

 

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Description

With the exception of the United States, all developed nations provide their citizens with quality, affordable health care.  And, despite its having expanded access through such programs as Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, and the Affordable Care Act, nearly 20 million Americans still do not have health insurance.  Worse, efforts by the Republican Party to dismantle the ACA and increases in premiums for those with health insurance could leave millions more without the financial means to afford treatment when needed.

Countries that guarantee health coverage to all their citizens have done so recognizing the health of the nation is dependent on the health of their people.  This has not occurred in the United States, not only because powerful forces have mounted a vast campaign against it, but also because no plan with clear solutions and guidelines has yet emerged.

Starting from the premise that health care is a societal responsibility, David Colton’s The Case for Universal Health Care contends that universal health care should not only be guaranteed by the government, it should be organized and administered by a federal agency and funded through a new health care transaction tax.  This will ensure that the national health care program is focused on quality and is fiscally sustainable for current and future generations of Americans, ridding it from cost over-runs and service denials due to the search for profitability.

Colton provides a clear understanding of each facet of the present, flawed health care system: how it is structured and organized; how we pay for health care; what factors influence access, quality, and affordability; and contrasts it with approaches taken by countries providing universal coverage.

Thus prepared, the reader is taken through an in depth explanation of Colton’s proposed alternative approach to universal health care, including a description of how an American national health care program would be organized, what treatments would be covered, and how it would be funded.

The role of quality improvement, utilization review, and evidence-based medicine in controlling costs is examined as is the economic and moral case for universal coverage.  Colton concludes by identifying factors that will influence the adoption of this plan.

The cost of providing care in the United States will soon be unsustainable.  It surely makes sense to consider an option that ensures health care is accessible to all its citizens and is fully funded regardless of vicissitudes in the national economy.  This book is a must read for anyone concerned with the failure of the current system and looking for an alternative.

 

Book Details

Options

eBook, Paperback

Year of publication

2019

ISBN

9781949762051

Ebook ISBN

9781949762168

Pages

312

Author

David Colton

Reviews

2 reviews for THE CASE FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE

  1. TANISHA RULE, Foreword Review

    “With hope and a delineated path to health care overhaul, David Colton’s The Case for Universal Health Care is cogent in arguing for a system of uniform benefits for all.Colton argues that Americans are resistant to universal health care because they are misinformed about how health care works. The book’s three comprehensive sections begin with a detailed overview of the current fee-for-service health care model, explaining how health care services are delivered. The second section is eye opening with its accounts of how public monies already cover myriad aspects of health care—over 50% of Americans receive a form of tax-supported care.Analyzing working universal health care systems in France, Canada, the UK, and Japan, the book shows that UHC is a realistic and worthwhile goal. Its third section outlines a single-payer model in which administrative costs are cut through easier, more efficient billing and that focuses on preventative care. In the presented model, uniform benefits would extend to all; a standardized, government-negotiated fee schedule would regulate health care service costs and the cost of prescription drugs.Moral arguments, and arguments around obligations, also build into the book’s promotion of UHC. It asserts that funding the plan through taxes on purchases would be a fair way to gain contributions from all. It also addresses the hot issue of health care costs, showing that provider competition did not drive down costs as fee-for-service advocates claimed. It shows that American citizens cross the Canadian border to access less expensive drugs, about which critics warn that quality control is unverified, despite coming from some of the same companies responsible for American pharmaceuticals.Beginning with educational information and building a solid argument for universal health care The Case for Universal Health Care’s plan seems not only feasible, but necessary.” TANISHA RULE, Foreword Reviews

  2. KEVIN BARRETTT

    “If “progress” means making things better, one of the most obvious targets for improvement is the American health care system—which spends roughly twice as much per capita as its peers, and obtains worse outcomes. David Colton’s book is a terrific, fair-minded one-volume summary of this issue.” DR KEVIN BARRETT

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