Our unsystematic healthcare system

Chapter 1 : Introduction

Chapter 2 : Public Health

Public Health and Controversy

Public Health Origins and Development

State and Local Public Health Agencies

Nongovernmental Public Health

Public Health Accomplishments

Efficacy of the COVID Vaccine

A Recent Special Case

Another Recent Case

Chapter 3 : Private Health Insurance

Origins of Private Health Insurance

From a Community Rate to Risk-Rating

From Prepaid Care to Health Maintenance

The Affordable Care Act

The Individual Mandate

The Employer Mandate

Health Insurance and Prices

Legislation Aimed at Health System Reform

Chapter 4 : Health Insurance : Public Programs

Origins of Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare

Part A

Part B

Part D

Part C : Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage Business Operations

Medicaid

The ACA and Reform

Public Opinion and Medicaid

Medicaid and Managed Care

State Child Health Insurance Program

Continuing Policy Debates

Chapter 5 : Healthcare Occupations

The Medical Profession

Medical Specialization

The Medical Education System

The Organization of Medical Practice

How Physicians Get Paid

Medical Professionalism

Medical Error and Malpractice

Nurses

Therapists

Technicians and Technologists

Other Practitioners

Administrators and Other Administrative Workers

Chapter 6 : Hospitals and Other Healthcare Organizations

A Brief History of the Modern Hospital

Growth and Development

Rising Costs of Care

The Shorter Length of Stay

Hospitals and Quality of Care

Growth of the For-Profit Hospital Sector

Consolidation of Nonprofit Hospitals

The Chargemaster

Differences by Hospital Ownership

Other Healthcare Organizations

Initiatives Aimed at Reducing Costs

Chapter 7 : Pharmaceuticals

Steps Involved in Creating a Drug

Generic Drugs

Orphan Drugs

Pharmacy Benefit Managers

Getting Drugs to Market Sooner

Pharmacies

Pharmaceutical Companies and the COVID-19 Vaccine

Why Drugs Are So Expensive

Where Things Stand in Trying to Control Costs

Chapter 8 : Healthcare Systems in Other Countries

Canada

England

Switzerland

Japan

Spain

France

Germany

More On International Comparisons

Some Final Observations

Chapter 9 : . Determinants of Health

Education and Inequality

Deaths of Despair

Health Disparities and Race

Physical Environment

Social Support Networks

Upstream Versus Downstream Intervention

Final Thoughts.