Books
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Shock Therapy
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Shock Therapy for the American Health Care System describes the problems of the current health care system and offers a program of comprehensive reform that is more far reaching than anything currently being proposed.
America’s health care system is sick. There are trillions in Medicare and Medicaid mandates, hundreds of billions spent on administrative costs annually and hundreds of billions more on treatments people don’t need. But there is a cure- a series of steps that could bring sanity to the system, even achieve universal coverage- and it won’t cost the taxpayers a dime.
From a veteran physician comes this remarkable clear-eyed look at what’s wrong with how we administer and pay for health care and what can be done to fix it.
In Shock Therapy for the American Health Care System: Why Comprehensive Reform is Needed, Dr. Levine offers an easily understandable diagnosis of the problems plaguing our current health care infrastructure, with discussions that include the roles of various stakeholders-insurance companies, “big pharma”, hospitals, health care providers, and patients. He also dispels a number of myths designed to make voters leery of any reform efforts. Levine’s comprehensive plan addresses everything from bloated bureaucracies to unnecessary procedures to the handling of negligence and malpractice lawsuits/claims. Throughout, Levine backs his proposals with facts and comparisons to systems in various countries, and concludes that even now, with disaster looming, the ultimate goal of providing health insurance for every American is achievable and affordable.
Title Features
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Provides bibliographies for each of the nine chapters
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Six tables and graphs provide an easy way to understand essential data highlights
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Shows why comprehensive reform is absolutely necessary for the nation’s long term economic health, including the possible consequences if it is not enacted
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Offers a unique program for comprehensive health care reform that provides universal coverage and improved care at no additional cost to the government or taxpayers
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Identifies the areas in the current health care system where huge savings could be realized
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Points out the obstacles that have to be overcome, pulling no punches about the opposition of the current stakeholders
Testimonials
“Dr. Robert A. Levine has written a timely and provocative book on the health care crisis in the United States. Based on his 30 plus years of experience as a practicing neurologist, Dr. Levine has witnessed many changes in the delivery of medical care in our country, some good and some not so good. In his eminently readable style, he reviews the history of medical training in this country, the development of our current day hospital system and the many problems he and others have detected in our medical insurance nightmare. Dr. Levine offers his thoughts on potential solutions to help improve health care delivery and backs up his advice with carefully researched data. This book is a must-read for both health care providers and consumers.”
Peter F. Cohn, M.D.
Professor of Medicine, S.U.N.Y., Stony Brook,
Chairman of Cardiology, Emeritus
“Dr. Levine has done a wonderful job laying out the issues relating to the American health care system. While the media have been filled with angst regarding the “crisis” in our health care system, he carefully explains what the crisis is all about. It is written in a lively manner that will appeal to scholars, legislators, health care providers and lay readers alike.
After spelling out some significant myths that are held by the public and by policy makers that would make reform unlikely unless they are revealed, he objectively describes the evolution of the current system and the roles played in it by the physicians, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, the trial bar and others, all of whom with significant material and professional stakes in shaping or resisting any possible reforms. As both a researcher and practicing neurologist his goal is to set the table for a series or reforms that he believes can bring modern health care practices to those in need of medical assistance, in a rational, cost-effective and egalitarian manner.
Dr. Levine’s proposal is at heart pragmatic, rejecting the dogmatic prescriptions of those who argue that the solution must either be market-based or fully government owned and managed. His proposal for reform is well worth considering and debating, though it is probable that it will run into controversy from many of the special interest groups. It is likely that this book will play a role as the debate over health care reform heats up.”
Peter S. Barth, Ph. D.
Professor of Economics, Emeritus,
the University of Connecticut
“Robert Levine has written a highly intelligent and provocative analysis of the current ‘out of control’ state of the United States health care system. He provides a comprehensive view of how the country got into this mess and proposes a controversial creature “Universal Medicare” to cure the problem. Many will find his chapters on the Evolution of The American Health Care System informative, his analysis of the current problems clear eyed and his proposed solution daring. Worth the read.”
Leopold Swergold
Retired manager of a Health Care Hedge Fund
Formerly, Head of Health Care Investment Banking, NYSE firm
Formerly, Founder and CEO of an Investment Banking Firm
dedicated to the Health Care Industry
Trustee of a major New York City Hospital System (17 years)
Defying Dementia
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Explains dementia and its causes, in all of its forms, with a focus on what research shows we can do to lower our risk of developing dementia.
Written to encourage defensive action, Levine’s book is meant both as a guide and a reference to understanding and preventing dementia. It is intended for lay people interested in learning about dementia and the measures that can be taken to repel it’s onslaught, as well as for caregivers and family members of impaired patients.
Defying Dementia is presented in two sections. First, Levine explains the various types of dementia, its increasing incidence and current treatments and their therapies on the horizon. The role of physiology and fresh insights from the field of genetics are included. The second section focuses on methods that can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle to help avoid dementia. Vignettes illustrate how dementia in its many forms can be recognized as it emerges.
How do we motivate individuals to take action to change behavior in response to a possible threat that has not yet materialized? When the threat is dementia, argues longtime neurologist Robert Levine, it is an issue of considerable importance. The earlier the campaign is initiated to defeat this lurking foe, the greater the chances the combatant will emerge victorious.
With proper actions on our part, we can achieve mastery, Levine writes. The transformation may not be easy, but recognizing the scourge of dementia is, and the way it devours the humanity of its victims, may inspire us to move ahead. Preparation is the key word; building solid defenses over time. While any moment is worthwhile to begin this task, the earlier the better.
Reviews
Defying Dementia is an informative book that might be useful to clinicians familiar with the disease and who would like to know more. A good deal of dementia-related research is summarized in a succinct and readable way given a background in neurology-related fields
– Metapsychology June 2007
“How do we induce people to address a potential problem on the distant horizon when they currently feel well?” asks Dr. Robert Levine in his book Defying Dementia. Dr. Levine argues that readers must understand dementia and related disorders and then take action to prevent them before they occur. With this approach in mind, Dr. Levine has divided Defying Dementia into two sections: one that explains what dementia is; the other that focuses on the types of preventative actions that readers can take to avoid it. Throughout, the book is filled with short vignettes that illustrate how others can recognize the early signs of this devastating disorder. – Solutions Fall 2006
This guide to understanding and preventing dementia is aimed at general readers, caregivers, health professionals, and family members of impaired patients. Levine provides an overview of types, causes, symptoms, and diagnosis; discusses normal aging, mild cognitive impairment, and pseudo-dementia; and examines Alzheimer’s disease, Pick’s disease, Parkinson’s disease with dementia, Dementia with Lewy bodies, and vascular and mixed dementia. Preventative measures, such as exercise, cognitive stimulation and socialization, and diet, are preceded by a discussion of causes of accelerated brain aging and other factors. – SciTech Book News September 2006
Dementia, in its many forms, exerts a huge emotional, physical, and economic toll on victims, their families, and the social and health care delivery system. Gerontologists predict that by 2050, the number of people with these diseases will double. In this book, neurologist Levine provides an overview of the state of knowledge regarding Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Written in a sophisticated but accessible style, the book is divided into two sections. The first explains the anatomy and physiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the full spectrum of dementias. The second section, titled “Lowering the Risk”, features four chapters offering evidence-based lifestyle changes and interventions that could potentially decrease the risk of developing dementia and/or maximize cognitive functioning. Levine’s intended audience is the intelligent layperson, but the book would be equally appropriate for selected health professionals or social service students seeking general coverage of the topic…[t]his succinct, credible resource on these devastating diseases sums up the present-day state of affairs and hints at the future.
-Choice 2/1/2007
Aging With Attitude
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The Rolling Stones (now in their 60’s) have sung to us for years about what a drag it is getting old, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Despite living in a youth-oriented society, many of the aged patients seen by Dr. Levine have kept their emotional zest, intellectual zeal, and empowering dignity. Levine points to well-known public figures clearly aging with dignity and vitality. And this neurologist author shows steps we can take to age and retain these qualities in defiance of a society that challenges this quest. Living longer is not enough for most of us; we don’t want to just survive. The quality of our life as we age is most important, and much of that depends on our attitudes and approach. This text includes strategies to optimize self-esteem as well as health, including attention to nutrition, exercise, health care, education, mind stimulation, sexuality, social activation, and cosmetics and cosmetic surgery.
Readers are shown the physiological facts of aging, from cellular to systemic changes. The most common diseases in old age are described, and actions are suggested to avoid many of the diseases. Levine also explores how the disorders change abilities and self-perception.
Reviews
Levine presents a skillfully crafted treatment of “growing older with dignity and vitality.” In ten chapters he provides the enlightenment lacking in many other resources that attempt to analyze the phenomenon know as “aging.” An insightful introduction explains the numerous conditions and disorders of aging and analyzes strategies for coping with negative conditions of ageism—thoroughly interpreting the material for a youth-based culture. The final chapter-“Aging in the new Millennium”—projects into the 21st century scientific advances that may create an environment in which the aging population can survive and live with dignity. The book concludes with excellent notes and references to enhance knowledge and lead to further study. Anyone involved with an aging population—and that includes everyone, from the young to the professional caregivers—should read this book. Summing up: Essential. All collections, all levels.
-Choice December 2004
The focus of Aging With Attitude: Growing Older with Dignity and Vitality is exploring how people can approach life so that it can be rewarding and produce a sense of worth and self-respect. There is no single path: yet, successful aging seems to come to each individual seeking the right path for himself or herself. Obstacles to aging well are explored and ideas that individuals can use along their paths so they can enjoy life and live it well are shared…..”Aging With Attitude is enjoyable reading.