Drawing from the perspectives of a variety of disciplines, this innovative text is unlike any others of its kind. Health Policy Analysis: An Interdisciplinary Approach analyzes current U.S. health policy and proposes various alternatives for developing future health policy without pushing a single solution set—rather, it considers the viewpoints of economics, political science, management, communications, technology, and public health.

Organized into three sections, Health Policy Analysis: 

• Explores the current and historical issues with the U.S. healthcare system and considers the alternatives for future policy that have strong support. 
• Reviews the political processes that influence planning in various healthcare settings; presents the accepted methods of economic and financial analysis; and addresses the ethical and other value considerations that must enter into the health policy process. 
• Looks at the roles, skills, and leadership that health professionals can bring to the policy making process in their local and national communities.

Featuring ten short cases studies dealing with issues such as folic acid fortification; national standards on culturally and linguistically appropriate services; evidence-based medicine in mental health; electronic health information networks; voluntary standards for regulation; medical tourism; community vs. specialty hospitals; international health system comparisons; small area variations in practices; and the experience with the Clinton health plan, this is an ideal resource for students in public health, health administration, or executive MBA programs.