Synopses & Reviews
As medical insurance costs continue to increase, so do the numbers of Americans who carry no health insurance. This situation, exacerbated by federal budgetary pressures, has stepped up the conflict among all those who have a stake in health benefits: the government, employers, insurers, health providers, and citizens who need affordable health care. Westerfield examines the dilemmas behind the conflict over mandated health care, the strategies employed, and the costs--both social and economic--that must ultimately be borne.
In Part I, the author looks at the impact of existing health care legislation and the vigorously debated issues surrounding the allocation of benefits to specific groups or for specific needs. Part II focuses on the conflicting goals of those who must pay for health care, those who provide it, and those who receive it. The final part begins by addressing major areas of health care, such as AIDS, chemical dependency, child care, and mental health care. Describing the strategies and counterstrategies in the struggle over benefits and costs, the author stresses that it is those most in need--the underclass and the underemployed--who are in danger of becoming the ultimate losers in the battle. This book clarifies and brings a constructive perspective to bear on an issue of concern to a large professional audience as well as to special interest groups representing health care consumers.
Review
Westerfield covers the legislative background of mandated health insurance programs: their cost, their impact on employment, strategies for managing mandated benefits, and alternatives to them....This is the only book written on the topic of mandated health benefits and it should be of interest to practitioners as well as to those concerned with health policy issues.Choice
Synopsis
As medical insurance costs increase and more and more Americans are without coverage, the debate over mandated health benefits continues to intensify. Westerfield examines the realities behind the conflict, the strategies employed, the mandated programs now in place, and the cost--both social and economic--that must ultimately be borne. Assessing current responses in major health care areas, such as AIDS, chemical dependency, and child care, the author warns that those most in need are in danger of becoming the ultimate losers in the battle over costs and benefits.
Synopsis
Westerfield examines the realities behind the health care conflict, the strategies employed, the mandated programs now in place, and the cost that must ultimately be borne. He warns that those most in need are in danger of becoming the ultimate losers in the battle over costs and benefits.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [181]-191) and index.
About the Author
DR. DONALD L. WESTERFIELD is Professor in the Graduate School of Webster University in St. Louis.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Thomas B. Curtis
Preface
Issues, Legislation
Introduction
Legislative Background
Controversial Benefits--Issues
"Carving Out" Benefits
Stakeholders, Burden of Costs
Dependents--Stakeholders in Mandates
Retirees--Retired from Benefits?
Postretirement and Long-Term Care
Impact of Mandates--Employment
Conflicting Goals--Firms, Workers, Government
Paying the Freight
Strategies, Looking Ahead
Controversial Benefits--Strategies
Employer Strategies
Social Strategies
Summary and Conclusions
Bibliography
Index