Wounds of War - (Culture and Politics of Health Care Work) by Suzanne Gordon (Paperback)
About this item
Highlights
- U.S. military conflicts abroad have left nine million Americans dependent on the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for medical care.
- About the Author: Suzanne Gordon has written, edited, or coauthored twenty books.
- 464 Pages
- Medical, Health Policy
- Series Name: Culture and Politics of Health Care Work
Description
About the Book
"The book looks at the largest hospital system in the country, the Veterans Healthcare Administration--one that has come under fire from critics in the White House, on Capitol Hill, and in the nation's media. The author spent five years closely observing the VHA's treatment of patients suffering from service related injuries, physical and mental. This book describes how the VHA, tasked with a challenging patient population, does a better job than private sector institutions offering primary and geriatric care, mental health and home care services, and support for patients nearing the end of life. It explores how the resulting public debate about the future of veterans' health care has pitted VHA patients and their care-givers against politicians and policy-makers who believe that former military personnel would be better served by private health care providers"--Book Synopsis
U.S. military conflicts abroad have left nine million Americans dependent on the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for medical care. Their "wounds of war" are treated by the largest hospital system in the country--one that has come under fire from critics in the White House, on Capitol Hill, and in the nation's media.
In Wounds of War, Suzanne Gordon draws on five years of observational research to describe how the VHA does a better job than private sector institutions offering primary and geriatric care, mental health and home care services, and support for patients nearing the end of life. In the unusual culture of solidarity between patients and providers that the VHA has fostered, Gordon finds a working model for higher-quality health care and a much-needed alternative to the practice of for-profit medicine.
Review Quotes
Wounds of War is a valuable resource for veterans' rights advocates as well as everyone concerned with the struggle for Medicare for all.
-- "Against the Current"A compelling account of the many strengths of the Veterans Healthcare System.... Gordon documents these strengths with informative statistics as well as compelling narratives of innovative programs, commendable teamwork and exemplary clinical providers.... A valued view of a system which, even with its flaws, still has remarkable strengths to offer soldiers when their service to our nation is completed.
-- "The Pharos"A terrific book, and I would recommend that every veteran depending upon the VA for his or her healthcare buy it.
-- "The Veteran"For better or worse, the course of VA health care now depends on a citizenry and health policy community that possesses little firsthand experience with its services or achievements. Wounds of War is a tremendous starting point for those interested in understanding the importance of getting these decisions right.
-- "Washington Monthly"Important and timely.
-- "BeyondChron"Important and timely.
-- "CounterPunch"This book offers a unique approach to an important topic and is an essential addition for institutions with programs in medicine and other health-affiliated fields (health administration, social work, etc.), public policy and administration, political science, or for any public library serving veteran and/or military populations.
-- "Choice"About the Author
Suzanne Gordon has written, edited, or coauthored twenty books. Gordon has been published in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, American Prospect, Atlantic Monthly, and Harper's Magazine.
