Very enlightening historical perspective on national health insurance. It seems special interests dominant in our democratic society. Quite surprising that both republican & democratic presidents tried to pass national health insurance. Special interests contribute to both parties and when the going gets close focus on those candidates who are vulnerable in order to entice their vote.

In our current lack of bi-partisian political climate, it seems very doubtful that national health insurance has a chance of being passed.

My only complaint is that since the book was published in 2005, 2006 Part D legislation which expanded Medicare coverage, could not be discussed, but hopefully an updated edition will be written in a few years. Overall, a surprisingly interesting and readable primer on such a complex issue.

In One Nation, Uninsured sociologist Jill Quadagno explains how powerful stakeholders have blocked every proposal for universal health care coverage from the Progressive Era through the Clinton debacle. A beautifully written and compelling account of 100 years of health policy history told with a novelist’s flair and an historian’s eye for detail.