Healthy Competition: What's Holding Back Health Care and How to Free It

by Michael F. Cannon

America's healthcare system is at a crossroads, faced with rising costs, quality concerns, and a lack of patient control. Some blame market forces. Yet many troubles can be traced directly to pervasive government entitlements, tax laws, and costly regulations. Consumer choice and competition deliver higher quality and lower prices in other areas of the economy. The authors conclude that removing restrictions can do the same for health care.

Genres: Economics, Politics

140 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2005

Reviews

[Jan Brabec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad book but if you're really interested in the topic read "Overcharged: Why Americans Pay Too Much for Health Care" instead.

[Sean Rosenthal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Quote:

"[B]ecause medicaid is a means-tested program, individuals lose eligibility if their income exceeds a certain amount. As a result, beneficiaries often avoid work and savings if it would mean losing Medicaid benefits. Likewise, potential beneficiaries often reduce work effort and savings in order to become eligible. These incentives pull many Americans toward poverty. Meanwhile, the tax burden imposed by Medicaid--which includes its effects on the cost of private medical care and insurance--makes the climb out of poverty more difficult for those who try."

-Michael Cannon and Michael Tanner, Healthy Competition

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of how competition would improve healthcare.

[Nedland P.]

For anyone interested in the healthcare debate, this is well worth reading.