The healthcare fix : universal insurance for all Americans

"Laurence Kotlikoff has done it again. He presents in his usual fast pacedbut understandable style, the immense financial problems faced by theMedicare and Medicaid programs. But he goes further, introducing anddefending a complete solution. Whether or not you agree with his proposals,the importance of the question, and the brilliant defense of his solution,make this book a must read for both health policy professionals andinterested citizens."--Thomas R. Saving, Trustee of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds,and Department of Economics, Texas A & M University -- Tom Saving "Almost everyone seems to agree that we are headed to a fiscal crisis in the United States, primarily because of the runaway cost of Medicare and Medicaid. However, almost no one clearly states what the problem is until this book by Kotlikoff. Not knowing the full nature of the problem, most reform proposals are way off the mark in offering a solution. Kotlikoff does things in the right order. First, he lays out the problem and convincingly argues that the status quo is leading us to a catastrophe. Second, he offers a simple, yet radical, solution: universal health insurance vouchers for all Americans. In the long-run, his proposal would remain affordable, which is something that cannot be said for the status quo. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to enter the debate about how to achieve universal health care and fiscal responsibility at the same time." -- John B. Shoven, Charles R. Schwab Professor of Economics, Stanford University -- John Shoven "Kotlikoff's book sends the strong message that all -- not just the uninsured, the elderly, the middle class, or the politicians -- are placing themselves and future generations in fiscal jeopardy through the current medical/financial free-for-all. Whether you agree with his solution or not, time is running out. Affordable medical care is everyone's problem. Most know John Donne's line, 'Send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.' Fewer remember the more mundane words of the World War I trench ditty, "The bells of Hell go ding-a-ling-a-ling for you but not for me... " The health care bells are ringing -- not just for you, but for me. Read Kotlikoff's book, ponder his solution, and be warned." Markley H. Boyer, MD, DPhil, MPH, Tufts University School of Medicine JAMA "Kotlikoff's passionate exposition of the details of his plan is sure to add to the growing health care debate." PW Web Exclusive Reviews "Laurence Kotlikoff has done it again. He presents in his usual fast-paced but understandable style the immense financial problems faced by the Medicare and Medicaid programs. But he goes further, introducing and defending a complete solution. Whether or not you agree with his proposals, the importance of the question, and the brilliant defense of his solution, make this book a must-read for both health policy professionals and interested citizens."Thomas R. Saving , Trustee of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds, and Department of Economics, Texas A & M University "This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to enter the debate about how to achieve universal health care and fiscal responsibility at the same time. Kotlikoff lays out the problem and convincingly argues that the status quo is leading us to a catastrophe. Moreover, he offers a simple, yet radical solution." John B. Shoven , Charles R. Schwab Professor of Economics, Stanford University and coauthor of The Real Deal: The History and Future of Social Security "With the earnest tone of a teacher aching for his students to understand, Kotlikoff creates a stark picture of our looming financial straits." TIME 再读一些...