Jonas’ Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System

Now in its 10th edition, this best-selling introductory text, valued for its balanced overview of the U.S. health care system, has been fully updated to help students stay at the forefront of the dynamic and complex health care field.

Jonas' Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System continues to offer a foundational framework that concisely explains the core elements and functions of the system. The text provides an essential understanding of the current state of the health care system, as well as the factors influencing its future state. Students also benefit from the special emphasis given to the evolution of the health care system and to identification of the underlying values that influence health care policy.

Well-organized and easily accessible, the 10th edition prepares the next generation of health care leaders—from health care management, public health, medicine, nursing, allied health, and health policy—to comprehend the variety of forces that shape the field in which they will practice so they can navigate change and improve the health system's record on quality, safety, value, access, and equity.

New to the 10th Edition:

Expanded coverage of telehealth, advanced consumer medical devices, apps, and remote patient monitoring
Updated treatment of the social and political determinants of health
Discussion of the COVID-19 pandemic including the health care system's resiliency in the face of adversity
Updated content on the diverse health care workforce and its functions
Discussion of important financing issues including value-based care and alternative payment models as well as the impact of private equity funding, consolidation, and consumerism
Significantly updated sections across the continuum of care including self-care, adult day services, hospice, long-term care, and others


Key Features

The most concise and balanced introduction to the U.S. health care system
Engaging visual content including cartoons, graphs, and tables that consolidate key information about health care system performance, workforce trends, health care financing, and policy changes
Qualified instructors have access to this edition's expanded Instructor Resources featuring new learning activities, engaging case studies, and additional resources to supplement students' dynamic learning and interaction with the text