cover image America's Health Care Revolution: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Pays

America's Health Care Revolution: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Pays

Joseph A. Califano, Jr.. Random House (NY), $17.95 (241pp) ISBN 978-0-394-54291-1

Drawing on his experience as former secretary of Health, Education and Welfare and his current post as chairman of Chrysler Corporation's Health Care Committee, Califano predicts a breakdown of our health-care system unless aroused business executives intervene to save it. Most crucial among the scientific, demographic, political and economic forces involved, he writes, are abusive and wasteful medical practices, the high cost of high-tech systems and the heavy demands of an aging population. Reforms should include educational, corporate and individual efforts stressing health maintenance; mandatory employer health insurance; and government provision for the elderly, poor and unemployed. In addition, health-care prices should be regulated by competition instead of on a cost-plus, fee-for-service reimbursement basis. (March 17)