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Health Care in America: Separate and Unequal
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Comments/Reviews
Description: The American health care system is a unique mix of public and private programs that critics argue has produced a two-tier system--one for the rich and the other for the poor--that delivers dramatically unequal care and leaves millions of Americans seriously underinsured or with no coverage at all.
This book examines the root causes of the inequalities of the American health care system and discusses various policy alternatives. It systematically documents the demands on and the performance of our health care system for different population groups as defined on the basis of gender (women), age (children, elderly), race and ethnicity (African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans), and residence in high poverty areas (rural and inner city locales).
For each population, the book documents:
--Historical and demographic profile
--Data on health status
--Aspects of inequality including access; quality of care; and endemic, cultural, and lifestyle issues affecting health
--Policies, laws, and programs relevant to health care
--Indicators of improvement or negative trends,
Selected Contents:
List of Tables
Preface and Acknowledgments
1. The American Health Care System: Separate and Unequal
American Democracy and Equality
Inequalities in the American Health Care System
The Plan of this Book
References
2. African Americans and Heath Care
Access to Health Care
Quality of Health Care Perceptions of the Health Care System
Possible Explanations for Health Care Disparities
Conclusions
References
3. Hispanics and Health Care
Hispanics and Health Status/Outcomes
Access to Health Care
Quality of Care
Perceptions of the Health Care System
Possible Explanations for Health Care Disparities
Unauthorized Immigrants and Health Care
Conclusions
References
4. American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Health Care
History of Health Care Policy for American Indians and Alaska Natives
Health Status/Outcomes
Access to Health Care
Quality of Care
Possible Explanations for Health Care Disparities
Conclusions
References
5. Gender and Health Care
History of Children's Health Care Policy
Health Status/Outcomes
Access to Health Care
Quality of Health Care
Explanation for Health Care Disparities
Conclusions
References
6. Children and Health Care
History of Children's Health Care Policy
Health Status/Outcomes
Access to Health Care
Quality of Health Care
Possible Explanations for Health Care Disparities
Conclusions
References
7. Elderly and Health Care
The Elderly Population of the United States
History of Health Care Policy for the Elderly
Disparities in Health Status, Acess, and Quality of Care
Health Status/Outcomes
Acess to Health Care
Quality of Health Care
Possible Explanations for Health Care Disparities
Conclusion
References
8. Geography and Health Care
A Health Care Geography
Disparities in Health Status, Access and Quality of Care
Health Status/Outcomes
Access of Health Care
Quality of Care
Possible Explanations for Health Care Disparities
Conclusions
References
9. Conclusion: Health and Inequality Reconsidered
Explaining Health Care Disparites
Adressing Health Care Disparites
Why Should We Care?
References
Index
About the Authors
Comment(s): "Patel and Rushefsky continue their fine work on health care by documenting in great detail the disparities-in this instance, injustices-in America's system of health-care delivery. Americans generally know that many citizens remain unprotected, but they are likely to think that the system has compensating virtues. It does not. What we have should outrage everyone: Liberals see a system based on profit rather than compassion, while conservatives see enormous expense. Business analysts can see that huge expenditures do not guarantee quality, even for those who are covered. Experience demonstrates that in health matters the market guarantees inefficiency. Ideology, rather than good sense, is behind the belief that government is not the solution." -- Max J. Skidmore, University of Missouri-Kansas City
"How is it that the world's richest nation has the 37th ranked health system, just above Slovenia and just below Costa Rica? In Health Care in America: Separate and Unequal, Kant Patel and Mark Rushefsky explain why, in both comprehensive and exemplary detail: The United States possesses the greatest medical capabilities but also the greatest health disparities in the developed world, with major and horrible consequences. Highly recommended." -- Rick Mayes, University of Richmond
"This much-needed book addresses a rarely touched topic in health policy--the many manifestations of health disparities along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, age, and geography. The authors collect and review a massive amount of up-to-date literature highlighting this critical issue for a nation that has yet to come to terms with the consequences of social and economic inequalities. Timely and welcome." -- Karen L. Baird, Purchase College, State University of New York
"Patel and Rushefsky have done it again. Health Care in America is an informative primer on a crucial health policy issue: inequalities in medical care access and quality in the United States. Patel and Rushefsky show that the gaps are real, and explain why they cleave along the enduring fault lines of race, ethnicity, and gender. In doing so, they open up a vital discussion of how these gaps might be closed." -- Jacob S. Hacker, Yale University
Review(s): Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through professionals/practitioners. Choice
Patel and Rushefsky's work is rich and focused, presenting the evidence on disparities by race/ethnicity, gender, age, and location. ... The main audiences for this book are public administrators, professionals involved in legislation and health policy, public health and other health care professionals, and faculty and students in social work, law, and psychology--although it should also appeal to general readers. Its timing is particularly relevant following the 2008 presidential election, as the domestic agenda is likely to focus on concerns identified in this book. ... Patel and Rushefsky have admirably accomplished their goals this book has a firm grounding in the empirical literature, yet it is lucid and well-written. Public Administration Review
    
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