In the past decade?? the nation experienced an unusually active period in health policy with the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Historically?? health policymaking has been a slow yet persistent evolution. The ACA?? in spite of its magnitude?? is an excellent example of the incremental evolution that characterizes policymaking in the United States. This book provides context and background for understanding the development of today s health reform legislation.

In the new edition of this widely used book?? Beaufort Longest provides a framew