Tackling the Uninsured Puzzle: Collaborating for Community Care. . - Bookshelf - Brief Article - book review

Healthcare Financial Management, July, 2002 by Michael F. Peters

By Jeanan Yasiri and Tom Blinn

Medical Group Management Association

Englewood, Colorado, 2001

221 pages; $48

No easy solution exists for the problem of the large number of uninsured individuals in America. Tackling the Uninsured Puzzle: Collaborating for Community Care admits the problem is complex and, instead of focusing on solutions, better serves readers by offering a context for the situation and providing useful examples of community-level initiatives that can help individuals become agents of change.

The book begins with a comprehensive examination of key issues affecting access to health insurance coverage, such as the scope of the problem, the public's expectations and perceptions regarding the uninsured, efforts to preserve a safety net for those who need medical services, and the barriers to coverage faced by specific populations. Emphasis also is placed on ways healthcare providers can collaborate with competitors, political representatives, and consumers to promote better service to the uninsured.

Perhaps the most valuable section of the book is the 11 case studies. These real-life examples highlight successful approaches used in various geographic and economic settings. The case studies provide a strong foundation for group discussions, question-and-answer sessions, or classroom interaction.

Although no quick fix is available for providing assistance to the uninsured, the potential does exist to improve systems currently in place. According to the authors, healthcare providers interested in becoming agents of change need to communicate, document activities, consider long-term ramifications, discuss ideas with the public, be mindful of the changing environment, develop three- to five-year plans, and invest in future leadership. The authors contend that by understanding issues relevant to the problem and taking steps to influence change, providers will find working with the uninsured enormously gratifying.