Jill Quadagno reveals the deep roots of America's failure to address the health care need of its citizens. In a comprehensive history of the failed efforts to enact universal insurance from the 1940s to the 1990s, Quadagno shows how each attempt to enact national health insurance has met with fierce attacks by stakeholders. In the first half of the twentieth century physicians led the anti-reform coalition, fearful that government entry would mean federal control of the lucrative private market; at mid-century the insurance industry assumed a leading role against reform. Only with Medicare and Medicaid, coverage for the very poor and the old, have we seen any success with government insured health care. An invaluable read for anyone concerned about the health care system.