This book fills an important niche in contemporary medical ethics literature by combining empirical descriptions of American health care with an analysis of recent philosophical writings on justice.

Part I: Realities 1. Some American Health Care Realities: Access to Needed Care; Quality of Care; Rising Costs Part II: Rights 2. A Right to Health Care: The Concept of a Right; For and Against a Right to Health Care 3. Utilitarianism: Optimal Consequences; Prudent Insurance 4. Egalitarianism: Equal Intrinsic Value; Substantive Equality 5. Libertarianism: Liberty and Ownership; Compensatory Rights 6. Contractarianism: The Social Contract; Liberty, Opportunity, and Wealth 7. Plural Foundations: Proof and Persons; Four Health Care Rights; Rights, Clarity, and Ideals Part III: Reforms 8. Market Reforms: Pure Competition; A Hobbled Market 9. DRGs, HMOs, and Vouchers: Price Controls; Prepaid Group Practice; Cash and Voucher Plans 10. National Health Care Plans: Medicare and Medicaid; National Health Insurance; A National Health Care Service

Charles J. DoughertyChairman and Professor of Philosophy, Creighton University

"There is no greater problem in bioethics today than access to health care. Charles Dougherty brings both precision and clarity to a terribly complex area. American Health Care should be must reading for those who play a role in developing a sane and sustainable policy: philosophers, social scientists, policy analysts, and health care professionals."--Richard A. McCormick, S.J., University of Notre Dame |k No