Items related to The Healthcare Fix: Universal Insurance for All Americans

The Healthcare Fix: Universal Insurance for All Americans - Hardcover

 
9780262113144: The Healthcare Fix: Universal Insurance for All Americans
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 

A simple, straightforward, and foolproof proposal for universal health insurance from a noted economist.

The shocking statistic is that forty-seven million Americans have no health insurance. When uninsured Americans go to the emergency room for treatment, however, they do receive care, and a bill. Many hospitals now require uninsured patients to put their treatment on a credit card which can saddle a low-income household with unpayably high balances that can lead to personal bankruptcy. Why don't these people just buy health insurance? Because the cost of coverage that doesn't come through an employer is more than many low- and middle-income households make in a year. Meanwhile, rising healthcare costs for employees are driving many businesses under. As for government-supplied health care, ever higher costs and added benefits (for example, Part D, Medicare's new prescription drug coverage) make both Medicare and Medicaid impossible to sustain fiscally; benefits grow faster than the national per-capita income. It's obvious the system is broken. What can we do?

In The Healthcare Fix, economist Laurence Kotlikoff proposes a simple, straightforward approach to the problem that would create one system that works for everyone and secure America's fiscal and economic future. Kotlikoff's proposed Medical Security System is not the "socialized medicine" so feared by Republicans and libertarians; it's a plan for universal health insurance. Because everyone would be insured, it's also a plan for universal healthcare. Participants -- including all who are currently uninsured, all Medicaid and Medicare recipients, and all with private or employer-supplied insurance -- would receive annual vouchers for health insurance, the amount of which would be based on their current medical condition. Insurance companies would willingly accept people with health problems because their vouchers would be higher. And the government could control costs by establishing the values of the vouchers so that benefit growth no longer outstrips growth of the nation's per capita income. It's a "single-payer" plan, but a single payer for insurance. The American healthcare industry would remain competitive, innovative, strong, and private.

Kotlikoff's plan is strong medicine for America's healthcare crisis, but brilliant in its simplicity. Its provisions can fit on a postcard and Kotlikoff provides one, ready to be copied and mailed to your representative in Congress.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:
Laurence J. Kotlikoff, one of the nation's leading experts on fiscal policy, national saving, and personal finance and a columnist for Bloomberg, is Professor of Economics at Boston University. His writings and views appear in Forbes, the Economist, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and other leading media outlets.
Review:

Laurence Kotlikoff has done it again. He presents in his usual fast paced but understandable style, the immense financial problems faced by the Medicare and Medicaid programs. But he goes further, introducing and defending a complete solution. Whether or not you agree with his proposals, the importance of the question, and the brilliant defense of his solution, make this book a must read for both health policy professionals and interested citizens.

(Thomas R. Saving, Trustee of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds,and Department of Economics, Texas A & M University)

Almost everyone seems to agree that we are headed to a fiscal crisis in the United States, primarily because of the runaway cost of Medicare and Medicaid. However, almost no one clearly states what the problem is...until this book by Kotlikoff. Not knowing the full nature of the problem, most reform proposals are way off the mark in offering a solution. Kotlikoff does things in the right order. First, he lays out the problem and convincingly argues that the status quo is leading us to a catastrophe. Second, he offers a simple, yet radical, solution: universal health insurance vouchers for all Americans. In the long-run, his proposal would remain affordable, which is something that cannot be said for the status quo. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to enter the debate about how to achieve universal health care and fiscal responsibility at the same time.

(John Shoven, Charles R. Schwab Professor of Economics, Stanford University)

Kotlikoff's book sends the strong message that all -- not just the uninsured, the elderly, the middle class, or the politicians -- are placing themselves and future generations in fiscal jeopardy through the current medical/financial free-for-all. Whether you agree with his solution or not, time is running out. Affordable medical care is everyone's problem. Most know John Donne's line, 'Send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.' Fewer remember the more mundane words of the World War I trench ditty, 'The bells of Hell go ding-a-ling-a-ling for you but not for me...' The health care bells are ringing -- not just for you, but for me. Read Kotlikoff's book, ponder his solution, and be warned.

(Markley H. Boyer, MD, DPhil, MPH Tufts University School of Medicine JAMA)

Kotlikoff's passionate exposition of the details of his plan is sure to add to the growing health care debate.

(PW Web Exclusive Reviews)

With the earnest tone of a teacher aching for his students to understand, Kotlikoff creates a stark picture of our looming financial straits.

(TIME)

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherMit Pr
  • Publication date2007
  • ISBN 10 0262113147
  • ISBN 13 9780262113144
  • BindingHardcover
  • Edition number1
  • Number of pages116
  • Rating

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

Kotlikoff, Laurence J.
Published by The MIT Press (2007)
ISBN 10: 0262113147 ISBN 13: 9780262113144
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Academybookshop
(Long Island City, NY, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # A-05573

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 17.00
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.99
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Kotlikoff, Laurence J.
Published by The MIT Press (2007)
ISBN 10: 0262113147 ISBN 13: 9780262113144
New Hardcover First Edition Quantity: 1
Seller:
Ashworth Books
(Sidney, NY, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st Edition. Seller Inventory # 21NOV0105

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 18.66
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.50
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Kotlikoff, Laurence J.
Published by Mit Pr (2007)
ISBN 10: 0262113147 ISBN 13: 9780262113144
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldenWavesOfBooks
(Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0262113147

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 23.66
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Kotlikoff, Laurence J.
Published by Mit Pr (2007)
ISBN 10: 0262113147 ISBN 13: 9780262113144
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldBooks
(Austin, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0262113147

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 26.57
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Kotlikoff, Laurence J.
Published by Mit Pr (2007)
ISBN 10: 0262113147 ISBN 13: 9780262113144
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
BennettBooksLtd
(LOS ANGELES, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 0.63. Seller Inventory # Q-0262113147

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 58.17
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.13
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds