4 out of 4 stars
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Healthcare has been a hot-button topic in the United States for years. It has been the cornerstone of multiple political campaigns, constantly appears in the news, and has widened the divide between the Republican and Democratic parties. But how well-informed is the average American citizen on the subject? Private insurance, single-payer systems, ACA (Obamacare), Trumpcare, the topic of healthcare is not just complicated; it can be downright confusing. That is why we must read up on information from the professionals—not politicians or lobbyists but experts in the medical profession and its ethics, experts like John Geyman, M.D.
TrumpCare: Lies, Broken Promises, How It Is Failing, and What Should Be Done by John Geyman, M.D., is a guide to the controversy of healthcare in the United States, including a look at the history, the present, and the future of this debate. The book, approximately 300 pages long, is divided into four main sections: “How Did This Happen?”, “What is Trump Care?”, “How TrumpCare is Failing”, and “What Now? Just Two Options Ahead”. Each section uses statistics, tables, graphs, and other academic evidence to provide a thorough but easy-to-follow look at this subject, all of which are appropriately referenced at the end of each chapter. By the end of TrumpCare, readers have the knowledge they need in order to make an informed decision on healthcare as well as Geyman’s own opinions on the matter.
I am not afraid to admit that I had only minimal knowledge of the healthcare issue prior to reading this book. I did know that, based on other first-world countries’ healthcare and medical issues that make it hard for my friends, my family, and me to get decent healthcare, I prefer the idea of a single-payer plan. However, I still needed to learn more if I were to truly make an informed decision. That is why I am glad that I came across Geyman’s book. It is very informative and detailed but still written simply enough that the average citizen could easily understand it. I even learned more about the history of the healthcare debate, something which I thought was more recent (perhaps Reagan era at best) but actual goes back to Theodore Roosevelt’s unsuccessful 1912 presidential bid. Geyman’s writing is also clean, compelling, and well edited with no noticeable errors. This kind of topic is normally boring for me, and I have gotten lost during similar books and articles because the terminology is foreign to me. I never had these problems with TrumpCare.
While the book is easy to read, factual, and well documented, I do not think it is for everyone. Obviously, based on the subject, it is most helpful for American readers. Non-Americans with an interest in American society and politics might want to read it, but I think that it is best suited for those whom it will affect most: American citizens. I should also warn readers that Trump supporters might not like what Geyman has to say. From the start, it is clear that Geyman has some critiques for President Trump and his policies. Regardless, the wealth of information he presents is incredibly valuable for Trump’s supporters and opponents alike. We all need to stay informed on the issues outside of our politicians’ beliefs, and TrumpCare is a great way starting point for healthcare.
If I were to pinpoint a flaw in Geyman’s writing, it would be his obvious bias against the current conservative agenda for healthcare. Personally, I am very liberal in my political leanings, so I was not so much bothered by Geyman’s bias. I also feel that even if I did oppose his views, I would have to give his thoughts some consideration due to his background as professor emeritus of family medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine and as Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine (1976-1990). Still, I do not think that Geyman’s bias overtakes the book or outweighs any of the facts. Rather, the facts of the healthcare debate from both parties’ perspectives take center stage and remain the focus as Geyman draws his conclusions. Nevertheless, Trump supporters and other conservatives will want to approach his writing with a grain of salt and give Geyman’s views serious consideration.
Overall, I give TrumpCare by John Geyman, M.D. 4 out of 4 stars. I found it to be a very helpful guide to the healthcare issue that I will be returning to for quite some time. Geyman certainly knows what he is talking about, and it is a relief to see an argument about the state of and future of healthcare that is not overrun by misconceptions, blind belief in the free market, or overly-emotional testimonies. This author gives his reader the facts and then presents them with his conclusions on what should happen next in order to optimize healthcare in America. You might not like or agree with his opinion, but at least if you read his book, you will have the facts to back up your claims, no matter which side of the fence you fall on.
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TrumpCare
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