Written by one of the leading authorities in the industry, this book provides a basic primer on the American health care system. Using simple-to-understand language supplemented by insightful anecdotes and examples, the author cuts through the thicket of health care reform rhetoric to offer a step-by-step blueprint for achieving real improvements in health care delivery, as well as putting curbs on growing health care costs. He explains how health insurance works in the U.S. compared with the rest of the world and outlines the barriers to American reform. He also discusses why health care costs are going up so rapidly and sets realistic goals for care improvement.   "George Halvorson offers a timely and compelling prescription to addressing the chronic ills of our health care system … ." —Tom Daschle, Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader "George Halvorson, CEO of the nation’s largest health care delivery system, says reducing costs while expanding coverage not only should be done, but can be done, and tells us how … ." —Dr. James Robinson, Professor of Health Economics, UC Berkeley