"[A]n excellent introductory text for the study of this subject Medical students, residents, and graduate students in public health, allied health sciences, or social services will find it a thorough yet engaging grounding in the field. Professionals already practicing in health care delivery, health services research, or health policy will find this a handy and up-to-date reference with encyclopedic breadth...Both groups will find ample resources for continuing education and will likely return to this text for quick reference for years to come." S. Ryan Greysen, MD, JAMA (From a review of the previous edition) This 10th edition of a classic textbook for graduate and advanced undergraduate students presents the critical issues and core challenges surrounding our health care system. Leading thinkers, educators, and practitioners provide an in-depth and objective appraisal of why and how we organize health care the way we do; the enormous impact of health-related behaviors on the structure, function, and cost of the health care delivery system; and other emerging and recurrent issues in health policy, health care management, and public health.
Key Features: Includes major provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act of 2010 Rigorously objective, with policy analysis clearly separated from discussion of the health care system Each chapter includes these special features: key concepts; extensive mapping resources; key words; learning objectives; discussion questions; and case studies Covers the newest models of care such as Accountable Care Organizations and Integrated Delivery Systems Examines new ways of conceptualizing and assessing health care, including comparative effectiveness research Features contributions by leading scholars and key figures within the U.S. health care system, including John Billings, JD; Carolyn M. Clancy, MD; C. Tracy Orleans, PhD; Michael S.
Sparer, PhD, JD; and Chelsea Clinton, M Phil, MPH Contains new coverage of health reform, developing countries, population health, public health and catastrophic events, and a broadened discussion of the health care workforce Evaluates the constraints and opportunities leaders face in trying to standardize quality outcomes, contain increases in health care costs, and improve access to health care This text is divided into five sections, in order to provide some coherence to this broad terrain. Part I, The Current U.S. Health Care System, addresses major characteristics and issues, including reform, financing, and comparative health care systems. This section now includes multiple new charts and tables providing concrete health care data. Part II, Population Health, focuses on health behavior, including health care models, public health policy and practice, risk factors, facilitating healthy lifestyle practices, and access to care. Part III, Medical Care Delivery, addresses integrated health models, delivering high-quality health care, cost . and value, and comparative effectiveness.
Part IV, Support for Medical Care Delivery, concerns governance and management issues, including accountability, the health workforce, and information technology. Part V, The Future of Health Care Delivery in the United States, includes a new 5-year trend forecast. Note: An updated instructor's guide and PowerPoint slides are available to all qualified instructors.

Managing editor: Victoria D. Weisfeld