Fundamentals of US Health Care: Principles and Perspectives

Fundamentals of US Health Care: Principles and Perspectives takes the broad, complex topic of health care in the United States and presents it in a digestible, easy-to-read format. Focusing on some of the fundamental issues facing the health care system today, this book delivers simple, objective coverage of key topics including cost, access, quality, financing, manpower, and public health. By blending current, factual data, basic principles, and multiple perspectives on controversial issues, the book provides a balanced approach to the core issues facing the health care industry. Case studies and vignettes throughout allow readers to explore how these problems impact real-life situations and hone their critical thinking skills for their professional careers.

Dr. Yesalis received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health degrees from the University of Michigan and he was awarded his doctoral degree by the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health in 1975. He then joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins for one year. Dr. Yesalis was a member of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health at the University of Iowa, College of Medicine from 1976 1986. Currently he is Professor Emeritus of Health Policy and Administration and Exercise and Sport Science at The Pennsylvania State University. For the past 32 years, much of Dr. Yesalis' research has been devoted to the non medical use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AS) and other performance-enhancing drugs and dietary supplements. In 1988 he directed the first national study of AS use among adolescents and was the first to present evidence of psychological dependence on AS. In 1998 he wrote The Steroids Game which focuses on prevention, education, and intervention regarding AS use by adolescents. He is the editor of a medical reference text, Anabolic Steroids in Sport and Exercise (2nd ed.) and co-editor of Performance Enhancing Substances in Sport and Exercise. For over 30 years Dr. Yesalis taught courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels on health care policy and the organization and financing of medical care. This experience served as the foundation of this text.

Dr Politzer spent 27 years in the U.S. Public Health Service, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services. He served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Bureau Director and Director of the Office of Data Evaluation Analysis and Research in the Bureau of Primary Health Care. Prior to those positions, Dr. Politzer served as Associate Director for Primary Care Policy and Special Assistant to the Director, Bureau of Health Professions. He was also Chief, Workforce Analysis and Research Branch of the Bureau of Health Professions’ Office of Research and Planning. Dr. Politzer also served in several capacities within the National Health Service Corps. Currently, Dr. Politzer is a Senior Health Policy Consultant for Management Solutions Consulting Group, overseeing the analytic agenda for the nation’s health centers. After retiring in 2005, Dr. Politzer entered full time into private practice as a Certified Addictions Specialist, a part-time activity since 1983. Dr Politzer received his B.A. degree in mathematics and his M.S. degree in biostatistics from the University of Vermont. He received his doctor of science degree in health services research from the then Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. Dr. Politzer also received a certification as a Certified Addictions Specialist from the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders.

Harry Holt, J.D., M.B.A. earned a Juris Doctorate at the George Backus School of Law at Case Western Reserve University with a concentration in Health Law. He also earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Health Systems Management at the Weatherhead School of Management. At the Cleveland Clinic he was responsible for improving the operations of five satellite centers that delivered both primary and specialty care. He then delivered consulting services for global health care clients in Ernst and Young's office of Global Health Care Consulting. Mr. Holt provided assistance to clients in developing managed care networks, constructing hospitals, and implementing information systems in the Americas, Western Europe, and the Middle East. He provided healthcare Internet-based solutions and strategic plans for hospital and health plans. He has assisted clients in transforming their revenue cycle processes and integrating operation processes with Cap Gemini. While at the Pennsylvania State University, he is engaged in research focused on hospitals and strategies to improve their financial performance. He has taught courses in health care organization and health policy analysis over the past several years.