| Entitlement Politics: Medicare and Medicaid, 1995-2001 Contributor(s): Smith, David G. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0202307182 ISBN-13: 9780202307183 Publisher: Routledge OUR PRICE: $123.50 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: December 2002 Annotation: "Entitlement Politics describes partisan attempts to shrink the size of government by targeting two major federal health care entitlements. Efforts to restructure or eliminate entitlements as such, and to privatize and decentralize programs, along with more traditional attempts to amend and reform Medicare and Medicaid have radically transformed policymaking with respect to these programs. However, they have failed to achieve fundamental or lasting reform. Smith combines historical narrative and case studies with descriptions of the technical aspects and dynamics of policymaking to help the consumer understand how the process has changed, evaluate particular policies and outcomes, and anticipate future possibilities. His account intentionally goes at some length into the substance of the programs, the policies that are involved, and the views of different protagonists about the major issues in the dispute. One unhealthy consequence of politicizing Medicare and Medicaid policy has been to separate public debate from the technical and organizational realities underlying issues of cost containment or program structure. Smith considers this development unfortunate, since it leaves even informed citizens unable to evaluate the claims being made. Ironically, strife over Medicare has complicated the political and policy issues in American Life. Only a serious and genuine bipartisan effort bringing forth of the best efforts of both political parties--and some of the best industry leaders and policy experts in the field--is likely to achieve genuine reform. The more people and parties know about the history, politics, and policies of these programs, the better our prospects for devisingworkable, equitable, and lasting solutions. This volume leads the way toward that understanding. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Medical | Medicaid & Medicare - Medical | Public Health - Social Science | Sociology - General |
| Dewey: 368.426 |
| LCCN: 2002001111 |
| Series: Social Institutions and Social Change |
| Physical Information: 1.17" H x 6.36" W x 9.46" (1.51 lbs) 432 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Entitlement Politics describes partisan attempts to shrink the size of government by targeting two major federal health care entitlements. Efforts to restructure or eliminate entitlements as such, and to privatize and decentralize programs, along with more traditional attempts to amend and reform Medicare and Medicaid have radically transformed policymaking with respect to these programs. However, they have failed to achieve fundamental or lasting reform.Smith combines historical narrative and case studies with descriptions of the technical aspects and dynamics of policymaking to help the consumer understand how the process has changed, evaluate particular policies and outcomes, and anticipate future possibilities. His account intentionally goes at some length into the substance of the programs, the policies that are involved, and the views of different protagonists about the major issues in the dispute.One unhealthy consequence of politicizing Medicare and Medicaid policy has been to separate public debate from the technical and organizational realities underlying issues of cost containment or program structure. Smith considers this development unfortunate, since it leaves even informed citizens unable to evaluate the claims being made. Ironically, strife over Medicare has complicated the political and policy issues in American life. Only a serious and genuine bipartisan effort bringing forth the best efforts of both political parties--and some of the best industry leaders and policy experts in the field--is likely to achieve genuine reform. The more people and parties know about the history, politics, and policies of these programs, the better our prospects for devising workable, equitable, and lasting solutions. This volume leads the way toward that understanding. |
Contributor Bio(s): Smith, David G.: - David G. Smith is Richter Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Swarthmore College. He is the author of The Children's Health Insurance Program and Paying for Medicare. His book, Paying for Medicare, won the Elizur Wright Award from the American Risk and Insurance Association.
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