Managed Care

This book focuses on how a distinctly American product—managed care—got its start, how it works, and what needs to be adjusted in the future. As Birenbaum makes clear, this book is about social change. It is about doctors contracting with health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and being subject to their rules; about the limited access to specialty care; and about the frugal use of hospital admissions and stays. Consumers and providers have had mixed experiences in these health-delivery systems. Birenbaum, a health-policy analyst, has created a synthesis of research studies and analyses of trends to chronicle these developments and to suggest remedies to correct the most unjust aspects of managed care.

This book is about social change. It is about doctors contracting with HMOs and being subject to their rules; about the limited access to specialty care; and about the frugal use of hospital admissions and stays. Consumers and providers have had mixed experiences with HMOs. Birenbaum, a health-policy analyst, has created a synthesis of research studies and analyses of trends to chronicle these developments and to suggest remedies to correct the most unjust aspects of managed care. This is important reading for anyone concerned with contemporary health care in America.

ARNOLD BIRENBAUM, a health-care policy analyst, medical sociologist, and health services researcher, is Professor of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Associate Director of the University Affiliated Program for People with Developmental Disabilities, Rose F. Kennedy Center./e He has authored or edited 11 earlier books and monographs, including Putting Health Care on the National Agenda (Praeger, 1995), recipient of the American Medical Writers Association First Place Award-Allied Health Category.