Medicare and the American Health Care System

Examines recent trends in health care spending, as well as changes in financing & delivery & their effects on health care providers, Medicare beneficiaries, & other groups. Presents the growth in national health care expenditures, & compares the experience of private payers & the Medicare program in controlling per capita spending. Analyzes hospital costs, revenues, sources of payment & adaptation in operations in an environment of increasing financial pressure. Addresses recent developments in Medicare's risk contracting program, & compares Medicare policies across post-acute care providers.