Understanding the U.S. Health Services System

This comprehensive book is the definitive text on how the U.S. health services system is organized and financed. Ideal for survey classes in health administration, public health, public administration, allied health and related programs, the text addresses each aspect of system organization, management, financing, resource production, and delivery components. Students will learn about: * The needs that drive the system-including access to care * The role of the public and private sectors * The planning, administration, legislation, and regulation of services * The financing of the system-including the role of public and social health insurance * The resources need for system operation-including work force, facilities, and technology * How the delivery system works-including the continuum of care and quality of care * The measurement of system outcomes A complimentary instructor's manual is available to instructors who adopt the book for classroom use. Includes chapter summaries, exercises (including distance learning exercises), discussion questions, and suggestions for future reading.

Phoebe Lindsey Barton, Ph.D., is associate professor and director of the Master of Science in Public Health Program at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, in Denver, Colorado.