Essentials of the U.S. Health Care System

Covering the basic structures and operations of the U.S. health system, Essentials of the U.S. Health Care System is a clear and concise distillation of the important topics covered in Delivering Health Care in America by the same authors. Ideal for courses in health policy, allied health, health administration and more, this comprehensive revision clarifies the complexities of health care organization and finance and presents a solid overview of how the various components fit together. The Second Edition has been thoroughly updated with all new data, charts, and tables throughout. New content includes: Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP. Ongoing evolution in U.S. health care as a result of corporatization and globalization; The role of hospitalists; Updated content on Parts C and D of Medicare. including information on high-deductible health plans/health savings accounts as an insurance option; Updated content on primary care and community oriented health care development; Current development on hospital extensions to the community; Current development on nano technology; Current health policy issues; Current discussion on healthcare reforms, including future challenges posed by the increased need for long-term care.

Dr. Leiyu Shi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Co-Director of Johns Hopkins Primary Care Policy Center for the Underserved Populations. Dr. Shi's research focuses on primary care, health disparities, and vulnerable populations. He has conducted extensive studies about the association between primary care and health outcomes, particularly on the role of primary care in mediating the adverse impact of income inequality on health outcomes. Dr. Shi is also well known for his extensive research on the nation's vulnerable populations, in particular community health centers that serve vulnerable populations, including their sustainability, provider recruitment and retention experiences, financial performance, experience under managed care, and quality of care. Dr. Shi is the author of three textbooks and nearly 100 journal articles.