Critical Condition: How Health Care In America Became Big Business-And Bad Medicine:

Title: Critical Condition: How Health Care In America Became Big Business-And Bad Medicine:

Authors: Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele

ISBN: 038550453

The following review was contributed by:NORM GOLDMAN: Editor of Bookpleasures:

REVIEW

Investigative reporters and the only journalists in history to be awarded two Pulitzer Prizes and two National Magazine Awards, Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele have presented a riveting exposé of the critical state of the health system in the United States with their book Critical Condition: How Health Care In America Became Big Business-And Bad Medicine.

Beginning with the assertion that American health care has been transposed from one of compassion to a system motivated by profit- the authors present a distressing analysis as to what went wrong. Where forty-four million citizens do not have health insurance, and tens of millions more are underinsured. And yet there seems to be this enduring myth propagated by many that the USA has a "world- class health system."

As mentioned by the authors, the USA spends more on health care than any other nation, when you compare it to Germany, France, Japan, Italy, and Canada. However, in these countries citizens do not think twice about seeking care if they are ill. They do not worry who will foot the bills.

In the USA, it has become a lottery. If you are fortunate to be employed by a large company providing generous health benefits, you win. On the other hand, if you are self-employed or work for a small enterprise providing little or no coverage, you lose. You may even go bankrupt and lose your home in order to pay your medical bills.

Relying on interviews, studies from various organizations as the World Health Organization, the US department of Health and Human Services, legal suits, brokerage reports, congressional hearings, newspaper articles, magazine stories, SEC filings, professional journals, and a resevoir of many other sources (all of which are mentioned in the Notes section at the back of the book), the authors deliver legitimate arguments illustrating how an assortment of factors have crawled into the system with calamitous effects.

Broken down into six chapters, Barlett and Steele judiciously examine some of these elements as: rampant overcharging of patients who do not have insurance, dissuading people from purchasing drugs from Canada with false information concerning the Canadian pharmaceutical industry, caving into the demands of special interest groups, the non-existence of independent monitoring of diagnostic test results and hospital mistakes, permitting politicians and business people to assume key roles to the detriment of the welfare of the citizens, a culture of cronyism giving rise to blatant fraud in many instances, doctors having to deal with conditions apt to be found in undeveloped countries, peopled shuffled around by individuals who do not have the foggiest notion as to how to deal with them.

In addition, we are informed of how private enterprises connected with Wall Street financiers and Madison Avenue advertising firms have been permitted to join in as if health care was analogous to the selling of cars or MacDonald's franchises. As the authors rightfully ask: "Is this what health care in America has become?"

Although the authors portray a certain amount of cynicism, there is a glimmer of hope, as evidenced by the concluding chapter, wherein suggestions are offered as to how to revamp the ailing system.

However, the question lingers on. Will Americans reconsider their values, priorities, budgets and options and elect people, who will first and foremost take care of its citizens when it comes to health care? Something most civilized nations do.

Norm Goldman is Editor of the book reviewing site, http://www.bookpleasures.com and the travel site, http://www.sketchandtravel.com.

Norm is also a regular contributor to many book reviewing sites. You can read Norm's book reviews on his book reviewing site bookpleasures.com.

Norm and his artist wife Lily are a unique husband and wife team who meld art with words focusuing on unique romantic and wedding destinations. To learn more about them click on their site at http://www.sketchandtravel.com

---

Powered by Feedzilla

Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Gilleland Poetry ? Storoems and Poems - Review

"Retired professor of Microbiology, Harry Gilleland certainly has a variety... Read More

Bob the Dragon Slayer - Book Review

This very fun, exciting, fast-paced, warm novella - Bob the... Read More

Be the Captain of Your Lifes Ship

In his book, "Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a... Read More

IZEE Growing Up In A Logging Camp: Chapter One

Chapter OneI was ready to start the fourth grade, the... Read More

Her Backyard: Book Review

Her Backyard by Doreen Lewis is an adventure, romance novel... Read More

The Hushed Willow - A review by Amanda Evans

The Hushed Willow by Lorna Joy Knox nee Ramsamugh is... Read More

Book Summary: Effective Networking For Personal Success

We are all "self-employed" now.Today there is absolutely no job... Read More

Putting it on Paper - Book Review

"Dawn Josephson, author of 14 books, has written a fantastic... Read More

Who Moved My Cheese? For Teens - AchieveMax® Top Ten Book Review

Who Moved My Cheese? For Teens by: Spencer Johnson, M.D.Spencer... Read More

Pausing To Catch My Breath - Book Review

"Debra Warren has appropriately titled her book of poetry 'Pausing... Read More

Rat Race Blues E-book Review

RAT RACE BLUES: How To Break The Stranglehold Darlene Arechederra... Read More

Author Releases Comprehensive Family History Book On The Family of JACKEL, JECKEL, IEKEL, YAKEL

When the topic of family history comes up, where do... Read More

The Legend of Juggin Joe - Review

The Legend of Juggin' Joe is a fiction based on... Read More

Review: How To Write and Publish Your Own eBook in as little as 7 Days

How To Write and Publish Your Own eBook in as... Read More

Profitable Growth Is Everyones Business - A Book Summary

The days of ruthless downsizing and drastic cost cutting are... Read More

Book Review - Manners That Sell: Adding The Polish That Builds Profits

This beautifully laid out trade paperback has a gorgeous and... Read More

The Storyteller, Volume I - A Must Read Book

The Storyteller New Book Offers Supernatural Tales Involving Everyday PeopleMartha... Read More

Primal Leadership - A Book Summary

Primal leadership takes center stage in this book. This concept... Read More

The Storyteller - Fiction Books!

Review by Jessica Dearborn Tolucan Times / Canyon Crier -... Read More

Star - Book Review

Tom Peters crafted a moving, educational animal adventure story in... Read More

Gilleland Poetry: A Book Review

For me, poetry is often too obtuse and difficult for... Read More

Book Review: Christmas in Dairyland

Author/Publisher Christmas in Dairyland by LeAnn R. Ralph Published by... Read More

A Coaching Book Review

Win-Win Partnerships ? Be on the Leading Edge with Synergistic... Read More

Marone Memoirs: An Immigrant Story - Review By Amanda Evans

Marone Memoirs ? An immigrant Story by author Sarah E.... Read More

Russ Whitney: Journey To Greatness

Teenage years for Russ Whitney were not filled with opportunity,... Read More