FLATLINING

The health care system is an industry that will personally touch all of us at some point in our lives. But as it consumes an ever-larger share of the US economy, it also threatens our financial well-being. Especially as a new administration moves to "e;repeal or replace"e; or "e;fix"e; the Affordable Care Act, now is the time to gain a deeper understanding of the health industry.That's the subject of this new book by Ron Howrigon, President and CEO of Fulcrum Strategies. "e;Health care is the largest single segment of our economy and it is quickly spiraling out of control,"e; the author comments. "e;This book can give readers and understanding of the health care industry, why it's in trouble-and what needs to happen to fix it."e;This book presents a concise, comprehensible overview of the critical issues and challenges facing the economics of health care. Readers will learn about:The unsustainable rate of inflation in the cost of health care-and the "e;market adjustment"e; that could send the US economy into a tailspin.The three economic factors that explain why health care costs keep rising, and the changes necessary to reverse that trend.The Affordable Care Act, six years on-its unanticipated effects on the health care system, and why the exchanges are at risk of failing.How "e;Repeal and Replace"e; could set the stage for a meltdown of the US healthcare system.The prescription for the cure-seven areas where decisive action is needed to create a more sustainable model for health care.How physicians and hospitals need to prepare for the "e;tectonic shift"e; in how they get paid."e;The US health care system is a product of who we are and what we are as a country,"e; Ron Howrigon writes. FLATLINING: HOW HEALTH CARE COULD KILL THE US ECONOMY offers a cleared-eyed look at how health care system got to where it is today, and the critical decisions that will be needed to ensure its sustainability in the future.