ISBN: 9781603582285 Year Added to Catalog: 2009 Book Format: Paperback Dimensions: 5 3/8 x 8 3/8 Number of Pages: 160 Book Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Release Date: July 1, 2009 Web Product ID: 487
Also in Politics & Social Justice
Howard Dean's Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform
How We Can Achieve Affordable Medical Care for Every American and Make Our Jobs Safer
Americans have pondered how to reform healthcare since the days of Harry Truman. But for most Americans, little has changed—except that healthcare costs have soared, health insurance companies have grown bigger and more oppressive to both doctors and patients, and today even those Americans who pay dearly for health insurance frequently find that their policies don't adequately cover them when they need their coverage most.
Something has got to give. In his bold new book, Howard Dean—the physician and former governor widely credited for reviving the Democratic Party after the 2004 elections—tells Americans what needs to be done to successfully reform healthcare. One key, he writes, is to offer Americans the option to participate in a public health insurance program, much like Medicare. "America has had 'socialized' medicine since 1964," says Dean. "It's called Medicare; it covers every American over 65, and they are very happy with the program. The rest of America deserves a similar option."
In this straight-talking guide to overcoming today's healthcare crisis, Dean spells out:
What Obama's healthcare plan is all about
How other countries handle healthcare
Which special interests are standing in the way of progress and why
How healthcare reform will help American businesses prosper
Why Americans need choice—between private and public health insurance coverage
Millions of Americans lack health insurance; millions more pay for coverage that doesn't protect them from serious illness; and the status quo leaves Americans at the mercy of corporate interests. This persuasive argument from a passionate political strategist shows Americans how to take back the healthcare reins.
About the Authors
Howard Dean
Howard Dean—physician and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC)—served six terms as Governor of Vermont before running for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in the 2004 election. Dean also founded Democracy for America (DFA), the grassroots organization that organizes community activists, trains campaign staff, and endorses progressive candidates. While he was Vermont's governor, the state expanded its universal healthcare program to cover nearly every child under age 18—and also lowered its public debt, balanced its budget, and reduced taxes.
Faiz Shakir, currently the research director at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C., has been a researcher for the Democratic National Committee, a U.S. Senate legislative aide on veterans affairs, and a White House communications aide. He holds a B.A. degree in Government from Harvard University and a J.D. degree from the Georgetown Law Center.
Igor Volsky is a healthcare researcher at the Center for American Progress. He blogs daily about health care reform at the Wonk Room (http://www.wonkroom.org). Igor studied history at Marist College and grew up in Russia, Israel, and New Jersey.
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