The Transformation of American Health Insurance by Troyen A. Brennan

The Transformation of American Health Insurance

On the Path to Medicare for All

Troyen A. Brennan

The Johns Hopkins University Press · Print & ebook · July 2, 2024

In The Transformation of American Health Insurance, Troyen A. Brennan traces the historical evolution of public and private health insurance in the United States from the first Blue Cross plans in the late 1930s to reforms under the Biden administration.

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Who it’s for
A history of American insurance traces the case for Medicare for All.
Themes
U.S. health insurance history, Medicare for All, Affordable health coverage
Genres
Health Insurance, Health Care Policy, Health Policy

About this book

In The Transformation of American Health Insurance, Troyen A. Brennan traces the historical evolution of public and private health insurance in the United States from the first Blue Cross plans in the late 1930s to reforms under the Biden administration.

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In analyzing this evolution, he finds long-term trends that form the basis for his central argument: that employer-sponsored insurance is becoming unsustainably expensive, and Medicare for All will emerge as the sole source of health insurance over the next two decades. After thirty years of leadership in health care and academia, Brennan argues that Medicare for All could act as a single-payer program or become a government-regulated program of competing health plans, like today's Medicare Advantage. The choice between these two options will depend on how private insurers adapt and behave in today's changing health policy environment. This critical evolution in the system of financing health care is important to employers, health insurance executives, government officials, and health care providers who are grappling with difficult strategic choices. It is equally important to all Americans as they face an inscrutable health insurance system and wonder what the future might hold for them regarding affordable coverage.

Blue Cross to Medicare

A history of American insurance traces the case for Medicare for All.

Come here for

  • Public and private coverage, from late-1930s Blue Cross plans to Biden-era reforms

Expect

  • Brennan’s argument that employer-sponsored insurance is becoming unsustainably expensive
  • A comparison of single-payer Medicare for All and regulated competing plans

Where it sits

Health Insurance54%
Health Care Policy51%
Health Policy34%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Health Insurance
  • Health Policy
  • Public Health
Authors
Troyen A. Brennan
Publisher
The Johns Hopkins University Press
Published
July 2, 2024
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
U.S. health insurance history · Medicare for All · Affordable health coverage
Reading lane
Health Insurance