Best Right to Die Law
The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia provides the most thorough overview of the ethical and legal issues raised by assisted suicide and euthanasia--as well as the most comprehensive argument against their legalization--ever published. [This] is the most important book published so far in consideration of ethical and legal issues. The author provides a thorough overview of the ethical and legal issues raised by assisted suicide and euthanasia, as well as the most comprehensive argument against their legalization. Gorsuch reviews the case law and the range of ethical and legal issues surrounding assisted suicide and offers a strong argument against legalization of these practices, even as he considers both positions in the debate. For those who need insight into the part played by legislators and courts of justice in recent euthanasia discussions, Neil M. Gorsuch's book . Neil M. Gorsuch builds a powerful moral and legal argument against [assisted suicide's] legalization, one based on a principle that has largely been overlooked in the debate--the idea that human life is intrinsically valuable and that intentional killing is wrong. Gorsuch is especially successful when exploring the relevant legal cases raised by assisted-suicide and euthanasia advocacy. "Gorsuch's book is an exceptionally fine contribution to one of the most timely debates in ethics and public policy: the question of assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia. "In a world where there are now many books and articles on assisted suicide and euthanasia, Neil Gorsuch's book is a timely and significant contribution. While the primary focus is on the law, with a systematic survey of pertinent legal and court decisions, the book manages as well to nicely set the problem within a broader international context.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book shows how a good legal mind prepares. It surveys the examples, reasons, and consequences of assisted suicide and euthanasia. To the extent that the book catalogs as data the consequences of assisted suicide and euthanasia policy from other times and places I applaud it. The author supposes the lack of Blacks choosing assisted suicide in Oregon is evidence of it being a “cultural choice”. With less than 70 assisted suicides in any one year and 1 in 60 ratio of Blacks in Oregon, it is statistically very unlikely any Black person in Oregon wanting assistance would have had a Black physician to ask, one who would not see a professional risk in agreeing. Over half of USA suicides are with a gun, and a third of gun fatalities are suicides. The average gun dealer sells a gun used in a suicide every 5 years – almost certainly more often than a physician will ever be asked to assist suicide. Legal arguments establish no responsibility to the sellers or makers of guns – why would similar arguments not be valid for those who assist suicide? Early in the book “assisted suicide” is analyzed as a situation where the person assisting must have an intent that the other person will die. The author never seems to consider that assistant could be sincere in not wanting the person to die, but committed to supporting the individual right of choice."
"Excellent review of both issues."
"Excellent analysis of the legal and ethical pitfalls of adopting the assisted suicide regime."
"Extremely well written."
"Order was shipped promptly."
"I liked it better when I read this material the first time in the 1984 article in the Indiana Law Journal, and an academic article published in 2000."
Meant for people in every walk of life-from the elderly, to those in the early stages of mentally degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, to healthy young people planning for an unpredictable future-this book creates space for a discussion we all must have if we wish to ensure comfort and control at the end of our lives.. Despite "clearly expressed wishes" to the contrary, many patients close to death are kept alive-using ventilators, antibiotics, intravenous feeding and other methods-by medical personnel ("most doctors still graduate... with basically no training in end-of-life situations"), family members unwilling to accept the inevitable, and nursing homes that benefit financially from keeping Medicaid recipients alive.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm guessing that most of us haven't done enough to be sure our families and the law understand our wishes at the end of our lives."
"I just did a living will provided by the state of Georgia and it did cover quite a bit but I don't think this book is dated at all because we still haven't figured out how to insure that a person's wishes are carried out in an emergency situation."
"The fact that they are sisters, that they are legal and medical experts offer a unique blend of personal and professional look at this natural or not so natural process."
"Everyone should read this book and especially those of us over 50, it is info on death and dying and nursing home care, living wills etc that you will not get just making a living will or inquiring at a nursing home."
"The book was as described."
"Interesting approach by a good combo... a doctor and lawyer."
"Important and detailed book."
"Provides a template for medical instructions that is not unique."
In Lecretia’s Choice , Matt tells the story of their life together, and how it changed when his proud, fiercely independent wife was diagnosed with a brain tumour and forced to confront her own mortality. Lecretia’s Choice is not only a moving love story but compulsory reading for everyone who cares about the dignity we afford terminally ill people who want to die on their own terms. ‘“The unwinding skein of her life was blowing free in the wind, and it tormented her.” If the case for assisted dying could be won through emotional appeals, this sentence would surely clinch it…Vickers is an assured writer who knows the importance of letting the moment speak for itself.’ Sydney Morning Herald. Matt Vickers: In 2015 Matt Vickers supported his wife, Lecretia Seales, in her campaign to gain the right to choose how she died.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Matt writes an honest and deeply moving story that reflects the beauty and determination of Lecretia's life and the legacy she has left behind."
"Matt clearly was a reluctant participant in sharing the story for Lecrectia but did her proud in my eyes."
"New Zealand is clearly lagging behind in its laws around assisted dying for the terminally ill. Matt Vickers explains Lecretia's fight, and anyone interested in why she lost her case will find the answers."
"Words seem so inadequate."
"This was a very moving book and, for the most part, beautifully written. It starts nice and simply with the author telling us of how he and Lecretia met, their courtship, it was really quite sweet."
"The book was hard to read but Matt and Lecretia were there for each other."
Best Marriage Law
A renowned legal scholar tells the definitive story of Hollingsworth v. Perry, the trial that stands as the most potent argument for marriage equality Speak Now tells the story of a watershed trial that unfolded over twelve tense days in California in 2010. This glorious human rights story, elegantly recounted by one whose own life has been transformed, should change forever the global conversation about the real meaning of same-sex marriage.” —HAROLD HONGJU KOH , Sterling Professor of International Law, Yale Law School. “In this marvelously intricate tale of ‘two civil ceremonies’—a marriage and a trial—Kenji Yoshino offers brilliant insights into the ways a well-run civil trial can serve as an engine of cultural awakening .”. — LAURENCE TRIBE , Carl M. Loeb University Professor, Harvard University. “Not only a compelling and deeply felt account of the first federal same-sex marriage trial, Speak Now is a rich courtroom drama that attests to the transformative power of law .”. — LINDA GREENHOUSE , Joseph Goldstein Lecturer in Law, Yale Law School; New York Times contributing writer. “Beautifully crafted…A celebration of the power of the adversarial system, at its best, to distinguish fact from bombast. ‘Let there be a trial,’ Yoshino concludes, and by vividly describing the gay rights trial of the new century, he has created a gripping and memorable constitutional narrative .”. — JEFFREY ROSEN , President & CEO, National Constitution Center; Professor of Law, George Washington University Law School. " The beauty and elegance of Yoshino's writing about law at times stops you short . There will likely be no more important trial about same-sex marriage than Hollingsworth v. Perry and there will likely be no more important book about that trial than this one.”. — DALE CARPENTER , author of Flagrant Conduct ; Earl R. Larson Professor of Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Law, University of Minnesota Law School. “Kenji Yoshino seamlessly weaves together the story of the landmark litigation over same-sex marriage in California, incisive insights about the power of trials, and personal reflections about his own marriage and parenting. “ Speak Now is a book every law student should read… It does for civil litigation and equal protection what Gideon's Trumpet did for criminal adjudication and the right to counsel : marrying a gripping case study with a broader understanding of how law develops.”. — PAM KARLAN, Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Professor of Public Interest Law, Stanford Law School. “ Speak Now i s a uniquely thoughtful account of one of the most important legal trials of our generation, from someone who truly understands the movement for equality. Kenji Yoshino is the Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at New York University School of Law.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Finally, while Yoshino presents and defends a particular perspective on the Prop 8 trial (and trials more generally), the book is also very fair and respectful when it comes to presenting opposing views."
"I needed a racing narrative because I wanted to get myself up to speed for the marriage arguments at the Supreme Court that, as of this writing, are coming up in a few days. I wanted to read the transcript of the trial in question, but reading transcripts can be dull; this summary was enough, and I accept the author's veracity given the charitable rendering he gave to the other side, whom for me are the demons. Finally, he provides trial lawyers like me great language for taking differing positions to trial and exposing them to the trial of "sunlight" that, as (former US Supreme Court Justice Louis) Brandeis said, "is said to be the best of disinfectants.""
"This book provides an important explanation of the legal principles involved, but also tells a compelling story about the personal impact of the debate over same-sex marriage."
"What I liked about the book was that not only were issues from the trial discussed, but so were things raised during depositions."
"The trail held in San Francisco concerning Proposition 8 showed the weakness of the factual and policy-related grounds for opposing marriage equality."
Best Malpractice Law
Grace and Justice on Death Row: A Race Against Time to Free an Innocent Man tells the story of Alfred Dewayne Brown, a man who spent over twelve years in prison (ten of them on Texas’ infamous Death Row) for a high-profile crime he did not commit, and his lawyer, Brian Stolarz, who dedicated his career and life to secure his freedom. Grace And Justice On Death Row also addresses many issues facing the criminal justice system and the death penalty race, class, adequate defense counsel, and intellectual disability, and proposes reforms. Instead of living bitterly and justifiably mad, Dewayne Brown finds forgiveness. Craig Melvin, MSNBC news anchor and Today show national correspondent. He's worked for the prominent white-collar criminal defense boutique in New York, Morvillo, Abramowitz, Grand, Iason & Anello, and the international law firm, K&L Gates LLP, in Washington, D.C. Stolarz was also a Staff Attorney for the Criminal Defense Division of The Legal Aid Society in Brooklyn, New York, where he served as counsel to hundreds of indigent defendants facing all types of criminal offenses. Stolarz has received several awards for his dedication to pro bono service, including the Pro Bono Legal Service Award from the John Carroll Society and the 2014 Caritas Award, the highest honor awarded by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington in recognition of work for the indigent and oppressed.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It gives us a glimpse of the dark underside of our criminal justice system and confronts uncomfortable topics like race, poverty, prosecutorial misconduct and capital punishment without lecturing and also manages to leaves the reader inspired to do more."
"The story of DeWayne Brown's experience with the US justice system, as beautifully detailed in the book, is disappointing."
"Brian Stolarz isn't just everything you'd want your lawyer to be (brilliant, dedicated, ferociously hard working, a good listener, a good counselor, and a friendly person with a sense of humor), he's everything you'd want your storyteller to be (witty, perceptive, insightful, reflective, and funny)."
"As a trial attorney, a long-time supporter of the death penalty, and a Republican, this book has changed me forever."
"Good read."
"When I read the address of the apartments where Dewayne lived, I had to read this story."
"Excellent book!"
"I didn't finish the book it just wasn't what I was interested in,"
Best Health Law
In The Great Escape , Angus Deaton--one of the foremost experts on economic development and on poverty--tells the remarkable story of how, beginning 250 years ago, some parts of the world experienced sustained progress, opening up gaps and setting the stage for today's disproportionately unequal world. Demonstrating how changes in health and living standards have transformed our lives, The Great Escape is a powerful guide to addressing the well-being of all nations. Angus Deaton, Winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in EconomicsWinner of the 2013 William G. Bowen Award, Industrial Relations Section of Princeton University. A "Best Business Book of the Year for 2013" selected on LinkedIn by Matthew Bishop, Economics Editor of The Economist. "[A]n illuminating and inspiring history of how mankind's longevity and prosperity have soared to breathtaking heights in modern times. [Deaton's] book gives a stirring overview of the economic progress and medical milestones that, starting with the Industrial Revolution and accelerating after World War II, have caused life expectancies to soar." Few economists are better equipped to answer this question than Angus Deaton of Princeton University, who has thought hard about measuring international well-being and is not afraid to roam through history. Refreshingly, Mr Deaton also reaches beyond a purely economic narrative to encompass often neglected dimensions of progress such as better health. [T]he theme requires a big canvas and bold brushwork, and Mr Deaton capably offers both." Unusual for scholarly works in economics, this book is rendered in easily accessible prose, supported by fascinating statistics presented graphically." "As the title of his book suggests, Deaton sketches out the story of how many people have escaped from poverty and early death. " The Great Escape combines, to a rare degree, technical sophistication, moral urgency, the wisdom of experience, and an engaging and accessible style. It will deepen both your appreciation of the miracle of modern economic growth and your conviction that the benefits can and should be much more widely enjoyed." The story he tells is much more than an inexorable march of progress--it has also been unequal, uneven, and incomplete, and at each step, politics has played a defining role. " The Great Escape tells the two biggest stories in history: how humanity got healthy and wealthy, and why some people got so much healthier and wealthier than others. "This factual, sober, and very timely book deals with issues surrounding the higher incomes and longer lives enjoyed by an increasing proportion of the world's population. Unique in its focus and scope, exceptional knowledge and coherence, and careful argumentation, The Great Escape is highly illuminating and a delight to read."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Worth Reading for economists and non-economists."
"He makes a very strong, fact based claim that foreign aide as we think of it is largely wasted."
"An absolute must for anyone who want to know about poverty and health in the last 50 years."
"Angus Deaton shows how individual liberty, free-market capitalism, and the division of labor have elevated the standard of living globally, while diminishing the number of people living in abject poverty."
"I learned a lot from this book."
"Excellent text."
"For example, to my mind, health and income inequality are two distinct themes and despite that there is a linkage between them - as there is between any kind of inequalities, i fail to see why such emphasis on health (e.g why not on educational inequalities or something else?)."
"Overall a great look at inequality of health and wealth, however Deaton falls short of answering some of the most important questions around inequality."
Best Mental Health Law
He was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of the US’s criminal justice system. ‘Unfairness in the justice system is a major theme of our age … This book brings new life to the story by placing it in two affecting contexts: Stevenson's life work and the deep strain of racial injustice in American life … You don't have to read too long to start cheering for this man. Just Mercy will make you upset and it will make you hopeful … Bryan Stevenson has been angry about [the criminal justice system] for years, and we are all the better for it.’ The New York Times. When Stevenson was a 23-year-old Harvard law student, he started an internship in Georgia where his first assignment was to deliver a message to a man living on death row. This is a title for the many young adults who have a parent or loved one in the prison system and the many others who are interested in social justice, the law, and the death penalty. [It] demonstrates, as powerfully as any book on criminal justice that I’ve ever read, the extent to which brutality, unfairness, and racial bias continue to infect criminal law in the United States. But at the same time that [Bryan] Stevenson tells an utterly damning story of deep-seated and widespread injustice, he also recounts instances of human compassion, understanding, mercy, and justice that offer hope. Just Mercy is a remarkable amalgam, at once a searing indictment of American criminal justice and a stirring testament to the salvation that fighting for the vulnerable sometimes yields.” —David Cole, The New York Review of Books “A searing, moving and infuriating memoir . This book brings new life to the story by placing it in two affecting contexts: [Bryan] Stevenson’s life work and the deep strain of racial injustice in American life. Against tremendous odds, Stevenson has worked to free scores of people from wrongful or excessive punishment, arguing five times before the Supreme Court. Stevenson has been angry about [the criminal justice system] for years, and we are all the better for it.” —Ted Conover, The New York Times Book Review “Inspiring . “As deeply moving, poignant and powerful a book as has been, and maybe ever can be, written about the death penalty.” —The Financial Times “Brilliant.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer. Bryan Stevenson, however, is very much alive and doing God’s work fighting for the poor, the oppressed, the voiceless, the vulnerable, the outcast, and those with no hope. Just Mercy is his inspiring and powerful story.” —John Grisham “Bryan Stevenson is one of my personal heroes, perhaps the most inspiring and influential crusader for justice alive today, and Just Mercy is extraordinary. Bryan Stevenson is a real-life, modern-day Atticus Finch who, through his work in redeeming innocent people condemned to death, has sought to redeem the country itself. It is inspiring and suspenseful—a revelation.” —Isabel Wilkerson, author of The Warmth of Other Suns “Words such as important and compelling may have lost their force through overuse, but reading this book will restore their meaning, along with one’s hopes for humanity.” —Tracy Kidder, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Mountains Beyond Mountains “Bryan Stevenson is America’s young Nelson Mandela, a brilliant lawyer fighting with courage and conviction to guarantee justice for all. Just Mercy should be read by people of conscience in every civilized country in the world to discover what happens when revenge and retribution replace justice and mercy.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My tendency is to put things into "liberal" and "conservative" buckets and this one seemingly fit into the liberal bucket and I am a professed conservative."
"I have a new hero . Bryan Stevenson. This is a great book."
"This is a system that condemns children to life imprisonment without parole, that makes petty theft a crime as serious as murder, and that has declared war on hundreds of thousands of people with substance abuse problems by imprisoning them and denying them help. JUST MERCY explores a number of devastating cases, including children as young as fourteen facing life imprisonment, and scores of people on death row - mostly poor, and mostly black - who have been unfairly convicted. But the central focus is on Walter McMillan, a black man sentenced to death for the murder of a prominent young white woman. Ours is no longer a country that sees compassion as a virtue; instead, we write harsher and harsher laws that demand longer and longer sentences for those we consider undesirables. It's rare these days to meet someone who truly dedicates himself to those least able to help themselves, especially someone who isn't after media attention or self-promotion."
"Corruption and prejudice in the 1950's led to sending many innocent blacks and poor people to prison."
Best Child Advocacy Law
Fresh off a summer spent interning in legal hell, he is only mildly certain he even wants to continue down the path he’s on. Armed only with his own trepidations and the loyalty of those around him, Drake must find a way to save his friend and his own growing skepticism before it’s too late. Dustin Stevens is the author of the novels Number Four, Ink, Twelve, Just a Game, and 21 Hours.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The man doing the killing is there to teach a lesson to the rest of the women who are present. Drake was a star player for his college football team in Missoula. Ajax is the only African American in all of Missoula and his trust fund insures that he will never have to work. Kade is also a hometown hero as he played football with Drake in college. Sage is an RN and she works the night shift so she's available for when she, Kade, Ajax and Drake get. together which is a couple of times a week. They raft, swim, fish, ski and hike all over the mountains of Montana. This one has Drake, Ajax, Kade, Sage, a girl named Ava, a girl named Ella, an old school friend of Drakes named Beth, a very pregnant Beth who has a real problem, the Mayor of Missoula, her sister, the Sheriff, a local doctor, a woman from social services, a scheme that's been making money for all of them for the last two years, a sociopath named Notch, another group of pregnant women, a Drake who gets involved because Beth is a woman who helped him out while he was in high school, Kade, Ajax and Sage who are also there to assist, a woman named Ava who's also a law student, an Ava who is kidnaped, a man called Rink, and Drake Bell and the Zoo crew doing what it takes to protect the ladies, take down a killer and stay alive."
"I read in lots of books that a cast is put on a broken bone as soon a person gets to hospital. Dr. Will just wrap it and wait to make sure there is no swelling before putting cast on."
"A terrific book!"
"A group of 4 people in a College Town in Montana that stumble across an improbable surrogate mother for pay scheme that imprisons young women until birth."
"The development of the central characters is superb."
"Based on two books that i have read by this author, he seems to have a thing about the children market."
"Very good and interesting story."
"I really, really liked this book."
Best Children & Family Law
Bestselling novelist Gay Courter recounts her experiences as a Guardian ad Litem, a volunteer court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for children involved in the legal system due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. How Gay Courter (The Midwife) became a guardian ad litem, a court-appointed advocate for children caught up in the Florida justice system, is detailed with almost Dickensian touches of abuse and familial neglect in the lives of her charges. She views the legal, bureaucratic, and emotional issues involved through the eyes of the children, vividly recounting their tumultuous placements in foster homes, humiliating court cases, heartbreaking separation from parents, and personal conversations.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book gave me a deeper understanding of how broken the "system" really is and how important CASA GAL's truly are for the children."
"As I begin my training as a guardian ad Liten, this book prepared me for what I am about to embark on, and the impact I can have."
"I read this book for my Child Welfare class and wow is it amazing."
"GREAT condition and FAST shipping!!"
"as a Guardian-ad-Litem in the state of Fl."
"I was not aware of the child advocate program prior to reading this book and I think the author does a great job demonstrating what it looks like."
"I'm not good with words, but this book is helpful if your already a Guardian Ad Litem ...."
"She wanted to toot her own horn, but as a CASA volunteer myself, I appreciated the education."
Best Domestic Relations Family Law
Taking place in the idyllic town of South Lake Tahoe, CA , Long Blue Line is the coming of age of Elizabeth Jeter. After reading a romance book sensationalizing a young woman's perfect life following the hookup with a wealthy prince charming, Elizabeth set out to create her own fairy tale ending. Her obsession with pregnancy, social issues , independence, and, ultimately drugs is chronicled in brutally honest Prose that will leave you spellbound. " Elizabeth wrote this book in order for teens and the parents of teens to become aware of a harsh reality: many teen girls plan secret pregnancies!" In addition to her roles as freelance writer, blogger, best-selling author and web design specialist, she has helped over one hundred aspiring authors launch and sell ebooks in nearly every genre. Her ultimate passion has always been writing and she candidly recounts her challenging journey in the controversial book, Long Blue Line-which is available on Amazon.com.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The author takes you on an amazing heartfelt journey into her past, her thoughts and dreams."
"Between Long Blue Line and the last few books I've read, (including The Girl With No Past: A gripping psychological thriller and Spilled Milk: Based On A True Story) I'm back into reading full-throttle."
"Unprepared for the responsibility of being a parent, the pregnancy triggers a downward spiral involving conflict, drug abuse, and other struggles."
"I absolutely loved reading this incredibly surprising and tragic story."
"It seemed just as I was totally engrossed in the substance of the story another mistake would glaringly hit me in the face and ruin the moment."
"I absolutely loved every minute of reading this book."
"Poor grammar but interesting read."
"Very disappointed in the way this girl blames everyone else for her situation."
Best Divorce & Separation Family Law
In When Happily Ever After Ends you will discover and use the three universal laws of divorce that apply to everyone, everywhere, all the time. * Craft a settlement that gets you more of what you want and what you need. * Navigate through the divorce process with knowledge instead of fear. * Create a financial plan you can live with. * Deal with a difficult spouse. * Negotiate more effectively. With When Happily Ever After Ends , you can : Craft a settlement that gets you more of what you want and need Navigate through the divorce process with knowledge, not fear Create a financial plan you can live with Negotiate more effectively with your spouse Learn better ways to deal with your Ex. Filled with practical information and interesting stories, this book is cover-to-cover common sense.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Finally, I'll add to what others have shared here and that is intertwined within the book, is that your choice of an attorney and recognition that this process falls squarely on you bears shouting from the mountain top."
"Very helpful for a difficult time in life."
"So I only read for short periods of time, to try to absorb the useful information, and when I start getting angry I stop for a few days."
"And everyone tells you to find an attorney but attorneys are in business to make money as well so they don't necessarily have my family's best interest at heart either."
"Happiness does not have to end in a relationship."
"I heartily recommend this book for anyone contemplating divorce."
"This book offers clear advice on getting the divorce and also about how to live life."
"I wish I had read this book before I got divorced."
Best Medical Law & Legislation
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • America’s Bitter Pill is Steven Brill’s acclaimed book on how the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, was written, how it is being implemented, and, most important, how it is changing—and failing to change—the rampant abuses in the healthcare industry. But by chance America’s Bitter Pill ends up being much more—because as Brill was completing this book, he had to undergo urgent open-heart surgery. [Brill] has pulled off something extraordinary.” —The New York Times Book Review “A thunderous indictment of what Brill refers to as the ‘toxicity of our profiteer-dominated healthcare system.’ ” — Los Angeles Times “A sweeping and spirited new book [that] chronicles the surprisingly juicy tale of reform.” — The Daily Beast “One of the most important books of our time.” —Walter Isaacson “Superb . Brill has achieved the seemingly impossible—written an exciting book about the American health system.” — The. New York Review of Books From the Hardcover edition. persuasive, shocking.” — The New York Times “An energetic, picaresque, narrative explanation of much of what has happened in the last seven years of health policy . For its insights into our nation’s fiscal, psychological and corporeal health—and for our own long-term social well-being—it is a book that deserves to be read and discussed widely by anyone interested in the politics and policy of healthcare.” — Los Angeles Times. Through revealing personal stories, dogged political reporting, and clear analysis, it makes the battle over Obama’s healthcare plan come alive and shows why it matters. Now it is up to the administration to prove him wrong about what the legislation does to the trajectory of health-care costs.” —Peter R. Orszag, Bloomberg View “Brill’s book performs an admirable job of getting behind the scenes. [A] state-of-the-nation account of the broken U.S. healthcare system and Obama’s partially successful attempt to heal it.” — The National. “A landmark study, filled with brilliant reporting and insights, that shows how government really works—or fails to work.” —Bob Woodward “ America’s Bitter Pill is deeply impressive, an important diagnosis of what America needs to know if we’re ever to develop a healthcare system that is fair, efficient, and effective.” —Tom Brokaw “In America’s Bitter Pill, Steven Brill brilliantly ties together not only the saga of Obamacare, but also the larger story of our dysfunctional healthcare system and its disastrous impact on both businesses and ordinary Americans. A graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School, he also founded and ran Court TV, The American Lawyer magazine, ten regional legal newspapers, and Brill’s Content magazine. Brill was the author of Time ’s March 4, 2013, Special Report “Bitter Pill: Why Medical Bills Are Killing Us,” for which he won the 2014 National Magazine Award for Public Service.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"He shows how it was that, even with a Democratic majority in both houses, lobbyists for special interests (the drug companies, the insurers, the hospitals, the device makers, the patient's groups, and on and on and on) were able to force those in favor of reform to water down proposals, compromise, buy off, and on and on an on. First, in this part, Brill intersperses the political narrative with stories of individuals who ran into financial catastrophe through illness, and looks at what varioius institutions (mostly hospitals) did to bring these individuals close to financial ruin. Granted that, he proposes that perhaps we should consider making the institutions that directly provide more and more U.S, medical care --the hospitals -- into insurers as well as providers. It's an interesting idea that sounds a little like handing the whole henhouse over to the fox, but it bears discussion."
"Lots on the backroom deals needed to keep it from being sabotaged, inclucing deals with drug manufacturer lobbies, hospital lobbies, threats by the Republicans to prevent its passage etc."
"Brill importantly explains how the US got so out of line with other Western democracies in providing healthcare, and insufficient inclination to provide a single-payer system: in the 40s we gave a tax break to companies to provide health insurance to employees, and with another tax break, didn't count employee health insurance as part of wages."
"It should be required reading by every American taxpayer because our existing healthcare system, unless fundamentally reformed, threatens to bankrupt our nation."
"The author clearly, and often infuriatingly, explains why Obamacare ended up being so ineffectual, limited, and riddled with unintended consequences as a result of all the compromises in favor of special interest groups who made sure a real reform would not be passed."
"After all, it protects those with vested interests and expensive lobbyists - keeps the insurance companies in the mix by steering away from the "single payer" idea that much of the world uses so efficiently, bars the government from bargaining with the pharmaceutical companies (so we end up with drug price 50% higher than the rest of world - so much for "free markets" so admired by these folks)."