New Edition Publishing December 2009!

This book provides a straightforward explanation of the complex health services system. It explains the basic concepts as well as current issues to clarify how the U.S. health services system is organized, managed, and financed. It also explains the various components of the system and the major quality of care initiatives that are used to measure how well the system is working. Key concepts are highlighted and explained with easy-to-follow charts and graphs. An extensive glossary of terms and an acronym list clarify industry jargon.

New in this edition:

Updated data, tables, and figures including all health services expenditure and utilization information

Expanded coverage of the public health sector, including a discussion of health disparities

Updated information on the current status of and proposed changes to Medicare and Medicaid

A new discussion of the changing role of the hospital

Updated coverage of the evolution of managed care and managed care organizations

An expanded discussion of the growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine