This book examines
competition and monopoly elements in specific areas of the health care system. The author is a professor
of economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. A summary of the book follows.
To the surprise of almost everyone,
competition in health care has recently blossomed. Health insurance schemes that encourage competition are being introduced. Health maintenance
organizations (HMOs) are booming. Preferred provider organizations (PPOs) that negotiate price discounts from providers are growing even faster. Hospitals, especially in California, are making competitive bids for Medicaid and health insurer business. Physicians and hospitals are advertising. Health care marketing specialists, almost nonexistent a decade earlier, are in great demand. The increasing competition in every part of health care markets is good for consumers and the economy.