"In a provocative and penetrating satire, David Hyman
trenchantly argues that Medicare was flawed from its inception in a
devilish plot to 'corrupt the American Republic' and plunge the
country into ruin. Hyman's bracing critique reflects the fact that
neither Medicare's problems nor the ascendancy of market-based
approaches to solving them can be ignored any longer. Anyone
interested in provocative (not to mention satanic) commentary will
devour Hyman's monograph. Hyman has a lively and engaging style
that he uses to raise perceptive and important questions about
health policy."
- PETER D. JACOBSON, J.D., M.P.H writing in the New England
Journal of Medicine
Click here to read the full review.
"There is no arguing with Hyman's facts or first-pass explanations
for the phenomena he describes. Nearly all of the key teaching
points about Medicare's history, politics, structure, and
vulnerabilities are laid out clearly and concisely. The author's
considerable wit and charm are on full display, making the book a
fun as well as an informative read."
- WILLLIAM M. SAGE, Health Affairs
Click here to read the full review.
"I'd happily recommend [the book] to anyone with a basic grasp on
health care and a desire to learn a bit more about Medicare. Hyman
is a felicitous and fun writer, and he conveys an impressive amount
of history and data in as accessible and absorbable a manner as one
could hope. I know how tricky it is to make health care a quick and
gripping read, and I tip my hat to anyone who is capable of
enriching the debate and educating readers by doing so."
- EZRA KLEIN, The American Prospect
"Deliciously funny... Medicare Meets Mephistopheles does
an excellent job of driving home the problems with our current
Medicare scheme with humor and easy-to-read prose. This book should
be on the shelves - and minds - of anyone interested in Medicare
(or satire).""
- Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics
"Humorous, witty, efficiently written, and above all else,
enlightening. Hyman's book is probably the most entertaining
critique of Medicare available. He's able to lay down the nuts and
bolts of the system, and yet avoid lulling the reader into a coma.
He does this through revealing anecdotes, historical asides, and
even a joke or two. (Yes, Medicare can be funny.)"
- MIKE VAN WINKLE, Health Care News
"One need not agree with Hyman's critique of Medicare to see the
merit of expressing pro-market criticism in easy-to-read satire.
What's more (and unexpected), you can learn more about the relevant
history of this important program in this book's clear account of
its origins, structure, and financing than in scholarly tomes or
the impenetrable babble of descriptions of Medicare's current
reforms. A useful volume for Medicare backers as well as
detractors."
- PROFESSOR TED MARMOR, Yale University, author of The Politics
of Medicare
""David Hyman breaks the mold by presenting the history and dismal
future of Medicare with a combination of humor and persuasion. This
book is a must read for anyone who is serious about understanding
the coming entitlement crisis. Hyman's reward in the hereafter will
be great.""
- THOMAS R. SAVING, Public Trustee of Medicare Trust Funds and
Director, Private Enterprise Research Center, Texas A&M
University
""David Hyman proves that the road to Hell is paved with good
intentions. That road is a highway dubbed Medicare, and Hyman
demonstrates that our good intentions are hastening our journey. He
even offers some ideas for voiding our pact with the devil. Whether
you ultimately agree or disagree with Hyman's philosophy, this is a
fun and challenging read!"
- PROFESSOR LARRY J. SABATO, Director, University of Virginia
Center for Politics, author of Divided States of
America
"The book does a great job clarifying some complex Medicare
law--the glossary and primer on Fraud and Abuse Laws alone are
worth the purchase price."
- FRANK PASQUALE, Associate Professor of Law at Seton Hall Law
School, writing at www.concurringopinions.com
""Medicare Meets Mephistopheles is a great read and would
be a great gift for every physician. I highly recommend that you
put it in your waiting room for your patients, as well.""
- DR. MARCY ZWELLING, California Medical Association Board of
Trustees
"A quick delightful read....If you are into social policy, annual
reports, or devilish humor, please give this a read-if only for an
hour or so. It's a short book, but long on description of the
Medicare crisis we face now and in the future."
- WenchWisdom blog"
