“A chilling historical account of how powerful groups with self-serving financial interests have successfully blocked attempts to enact national health insurance for seven decades, leaving tens of millions of our citizens without adequate health care coverage and often without even minimal care. Anyone eager to seek reform of our badly fragmented health care system must study its lessons and its blueprint for action; a task that will require nearly unprecedented political skills and monumental organizational prowess.” — Jerome P. Kassirer, M.D., author of On The Take: How Medicine’s Complicity With Big Business Can Endanger Your Health

“Jill Quadagno has produced the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of the power and effectiveness of interest groups in defeating a century of national health insurance reform campaigns. An impressive combination of theory and historical research, One Nation, Uninsured sets the parameters for the next round of debate over why the U.S. remains the only country without universal health insurance and how it might still expand access while reigning in costs.” — Lawrence R. Jacobs, McKnight Land Grant Professor, University of Minnesota

“A fresh, savvy, powerful, ambitious, lyrical explanation of how America became so heartless about health care. Highly recommended for both citizens and scholars.” — James A. Morone, author of Hellfire Nation and Healthy, Wealthy, and Fair

“Quadagno, a distinguished sociologist with a long-standing interest in policy, explores a century of government attempts to create universal health care and the powerful forces that have defeated those attempts…. Her sociological insights illuminate a path to reform.” — The San Diego Union-Tribune

“Readable and engaging…. Some of the most interesting portions come from Quadagno’s own archival searches and her interviews with people who lived the history that she describes…. Quadagno’s sustained focus on interest-group politics seems right on target.” — New England Journal of Medicine

“A strongly argued account that provides useful ammunition for anyone seeking to effect change in a medical system that willfully excludes so many who need it.” — Kirkus Reviews
Rating: 5 / 5