"One of the best ways to understand healthcare, in all its complexity, is from an economic perspective -- that is, from the perspective of all involved parties. Health Policy Issues: A Economic Perspective takes just such an approach. Renowned author Paul J. Feldstein describes the forces that press for change in healthcare and explains why the US health system has evolved to its current state. This book's 38 concise, issue- oriented chapters cover various aspects of the US health system, including cost of medical care, health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, physician and nursing shortages, medical school admittance, malpractice reform perscription drugs, and more. Throughout, the book integrates information about the most significant health policy enacted in many years -- the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Discussion questions, key points, and further readings round out every chapter. Thoroughly revised and updated with current data and research findings, this seventh edition includes new and expanded content on the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, physician malpractice reform, employee health benefits, generic drug shortages, political versus economic markets, and much more"--Publisher's description.

The rise of medical expenditures -- How much should we spend on medical care? -- Do more medical expenditures produce better health? -- In whose interest does the physician act? -- Rationing medical services -- How much health insurance should everyone have? -- Why are those who most need health insurance least able to buy it? -- Medicare -- Medicaid -- How does Medicare pay physicians? -- The impending shortage of physicians -- Why is getting into medical school so difficult? -- The changing practice of medicine -- Physician malpractice reform -- Do nonprofit hospitals behave differently than for-profit hospitals? -- Competition among hospitals: does it raise or lower costs? -- The future role of hospitals -- Cost shifting -- Can price controls limit medical expenditure increases? -- The evolution of managed care -- Has competition been tried--and has it failed--to improve the us healthcare system? -- Comparative effectiveness research -- Who bears the cost of employee health benefits? -- Will a shortage of registered nurses reoccur? -- The high price of prescription drugs -- Ensuring safety and efficacy of new drugs: too much of a good thing? -- Why are prescription drugs less expensive overseas? -- The pharmaceutical industry: a public policy dilemma -- Should kidneys and other organs be bought and sold? -- Should profits in healthcare be prohibited? -- The role of government in medical care -- Health associations and the political marketplace -- Medical research, medical education, alcohol consumption, and pollution: who should pay? -- The Canadian healthcare system -- Employer-mandated national health insurance -- National health insurance: which approach and why? -- Financing long-term care -- The affordable care act: did it achieve its goals?.