Our national health care system is one of the nation's most important components. What we spend and invest in health care resources and services ultimately improves how long and how well we live. As costs and structure continue to increase in complexity, it is now more important than ever to understand how the system functions - whether you are a consumer or employed by the system. Now in its third successful edition, Essentials of Health Services gives you the most straightforward, uncomplicated explanation of how our health care system is structured and how it functions so you can better understand, use, and enhance the services that directly affect your life.