Health economics: Fundamentals and flow of funds Thomas Getzen, 2004, pp. 464

Conclusion A fundamental question is whether society will be willing to spend an ever increasing portion of its GDP on healthcare. Accordingly, as Getzen notes, the battle over revenues in the health sector is a constant phenomenon as the various players seek to improve their bargaining position. In the healthcare industry as in other industries, the segment with market power reaps the most profit. Historically, doctors had the market power, then the market power shifted to the insurance companies. In 2004, hospitals and doctors have improved their bargaining power relative to insurance companies. Getzen documents these battles over resources through his flow of founds approach. He has provided an excellent treatment for health economics courses and others interested in this increasingly improtant and contentious area of study.