From a MacArthur Genius MIT economist and pre-eminent Stanford
economist comes a lively and provocative proposal for American health
insurance reform
Few of us need convincing that the American health insurance system
needs reform. But many of the existing proposals focus on expanding one
relatively successful piece of the system or building in piecemeal
additions. These proposals miss the point.
As the Stanford health economist Liran Einav and the MIT economist and
MacArthur Genius Amy Finkelstein argue, our health care system was never
deliberately designed, but rather pieced together to deal with issues as
they became politically relevant. The result is a sprawling yet
arbitrary and inadequate mess. It has left 30 million Americans without
formal insurance. Many of the rest live in constant danger of losing
their coverage if they lose their job, give birth, get older, get
healthier, get richer, or move.
It's time to tear it all down and rebuild, sensibly and deliberately.
Marshaling original research, striking insights from American history,
and comparative analysis of what works and what doesn't from systems
around the world, Einav and Finkelstein argue for automatic, basic, and
free universal coverage for everyone, along with the option to buy
additional, supplemental coverage. Their wholly original argument and
comprehensive blueprint for an American universal health insurance
system will surprise and provoke.
We've Got You Covered is an erudite yet lively and accessible
prescription we cannot afford to ignore.
