Health Care Politics, Policy, and Services

The fourth edition illuminates the ethical, practical, and moral elements of how Americans distribute health care resources.

The fourth edition of Health Care Politics, Policy, and Services offers a comprehensive overview of the U.S. health care system, tracing its historical roots and examining how care is delivered and financed, especially for older adults and individuals with disabilities. It delves into key topics such as social determinants of health, social epidemiology, and the impact of racial inequities on health outcomes. The content is framed through major social justice theories, including Rawlsian, Marxist, Indigenous, and Black feminist perspectives. Contemporary issues like the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving reproductive health policies are used to ground these concepts in real-world application.

New to the Fourth Edition:

• Review revised chapters on theories of justice, disability, aging, health inequity, and health care reform.
• Assess the nation's current health needs, disparities, and emerging explanations for these inequities.
• Analyze recent shifts in long-term care, end-of-life care, and initiatives to reduce health disparities.
• Utilize enhanced instructor resources featuring chapter synopses, learning objectives, key concepts, discussion questions, and writing assignments.

Key Features:

• Explore expanded theoretical perspectives on social justice in the context of health care.
• Apply updated data on social determinants of health through case studies.
• Discover the latest insights into the financing and organization of the U.S. health care system.
• Analyze revised content on disability and aging, with attention to the growing needs of an aging population.
• Understand how social and economic factors shape health outcomes across diverse communities.