Crossing the American Health Care Chasm: Finding the Path to Bipartisan Collaboration in National Health Care Policy

The book "Crossing the American Health Care Chasm" explores the deep partisan division within the United States regarding how health care should be organized and financed and offers steps that policy makers can take to improve the national health care situation and provide a basis for ongoing bipartisanship.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2021
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

The United States faces a profound partisan divide regarding the organization and financing of healthcare, with political leaders from both parties differing in their fundamental goals for American health policy. This disagreement has had significant consequences, particularly in the Republicans' campaign to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its coverage and equity gains. The tragic and disparate impact of COVID-19 on the country has further highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue. In his book, Crossing the American Health Care Chasm, Donald A. Barr, MD, PhD, delves into the breakdown in political relations in the United States and explores why health policy has become the focal point of intense political conflict. Barr's historical analysis spans from Harry S. Truman's failed attempt to enact a national health insurance plan to the recent efforts of President Donald J. Trump. He examines the development of bipartisanship that followed the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965 and explains why this spirit of cooperation has given way to a seemingly unbridgeable ideological chasm. Barr also provides a detailed analysis of the multiple attempts by congressional Republicans and the Trump administration to weaken or repeal the ACA.

Crossing the American Health Care Chasm offers a series of steps that policy makers can take to improve the national healthcare situation and foster ongoing bipartisanship. Barr emphasizes the importance of finding common ground and working towards shared goals, even in the face of deep ideological differences. He suggests that policymakers should prioritize improving access to healthcare, reducing healthcare costs, and ensuring that all Americans have access to quality healthcare services. Barr also calls for increased political cooperation and dialogue, as well as the establishment of mechanisms to facilitate compromise and negotiation.

In conclusion, the partisan divide within the United States regarding healthcare organization and financing is a complex and pressing issue. Crossing the American Health Care Chasm provides valuable insights into the historical roots of this divide and offers practical steps for policymakers to work towards a more unified and equitable healthcare system. By prioritizing common ground and fostering political cooperation, we can build a healthier and more prosperous America for all.

Weight: 522g
Dimension: 159 x 238 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781421441337