📖 Overview
John C. Goodman is an American economist, health policy expert, and author known for his work on free-market approaches to healthcare reform. As president of the Goodman Institute for Public Policy Research and former president of the National Center for Policy Analysis, he has significantly influenced healthcare policy discussions in the United States.
Goodman earned recognition as "the father of Health Savings Accounts" due to his pioneering research and advocacy for consumer-directed healthcare solutions. His book "Patient Power" (1992) and subsequent works have focused on market-driven alternatives to government-managed healthcare systems.
Throughout his career, Goodman has written extensively on healthcare economics, tax policy, and social welfare. His publications include "Priceless: Curing the Healthcare Crisis" (2012) and "New Way to Care: Social Protections that Put Families First" (2020), which examine market-based solutions to healthcare and social policy challenges.
Goodman's work has appeared in numerous academic journals and media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Health Affairs. He has testified before Congress on healthcare reform and has served as an advisor to various political figures and organizations on healthcare policy matters.
👀 Reviews
Readers view Goodman as a healthcare policy expert who presents detailed free-market solutions, based on reviews across multiple platforms.
What readers liked:
- Clear explanations of complex healthcare economics concepts
- Data-driven arguments backed by research
- Practical policy proposals and solutions
- Historical context for healthcare systems
What readers disliked:
- Technical language can be dense for general readers
- Some readers found his free-market stance too ideological
- Limited discussion of alternative policy approaches
Ratings and Reviews:
- "Priceless" (2012) averages 4.2/5 on Amazon (87 reviews), with readers noting its "thorough analysis" and "actionable solutions"
- "New Way to Care" (2020) rates 4.5/5 on Amazon (32 reviews)
- "Patient Power" maintained 4.0/5 on Goodreads
- Several readers commented that his WSJ articles and blog posts make his ideas more accessible than his books
One frequent reader criticism is that examples focus heavily on US healthcare, limiting international applicability.
📚 Books by John C. Goodman
Lives at Risk: National Health Care in Britain (2001)
An analysis of Britain's National Health Service, examining waiting lists, rationing of care, and outcomes in the UK's government-run healthcare system.
Patient Power: Solving America's Health Care Crisis (1992) A detailed examination of consumer-directed healthcare solutions and the concept that would later become Health Savings Accounts.
Priceless: Curing the Healthcare Crisis (2012) An exploration of healthcare economics, focusing on how market mechanisms could address issues in the American healthcare system.
New Way to Care: Social Protections that Put Families First (2020) An examination of market-based approaches to social policy, including healthcare, retirement security, and welfare programs.
Democracy's Dangers and Discontents: The Tyranny of the Majority from the Greeks to Obama (2014) An analysis of democratic systems and their potential challenges, examining historical and contemporary examples.
Economics of Public Policy: The Micro View (1995) A textbook covering microeconomic analysis of public policy issues and government intervention in markets.
Patient Power: Solving America's Health Care Crisis (1992) A detailed examination of consumer-directed healthcare solutions and the concept that would later become Health Savings Accounts.
Priceless: Curing the Healthcare Crisis (2012) An exploration of healthcare economics, focusing on how market mechanisms could address issues in the American healthcare system.
New Way to Care: Social Protections that Put Families First (2020) An examination of market-based approaches to social policy, including healthcare, retirement security, and welfare programs.
Democracy's Dangers and Discontents: The Tyranny of the Majority from the Greeks to Obama (2014) An analysis of democratic systems and their potential challenges, examining historical and contemporary examples.
Economics of Public Policy: The Micro View (1995) A textbook covering microeconomic analysis of public policy issues and government intervention in markets.
👥 Similar authors
Milton Friedman wrote extensively on free-market economics and healthcare policy from a similar perspective as Goodman. His work on consumer choice and market solutions to social problems aligns with Goodman's approach to healthcare reform.
Thomas Sowell examines economic policy issues through a free-market lens and challenges conventional wisdom about government intervention. His analysis of markets and incentives parallels Goodman's work on healthcare economics.
Regina Herzlinger focuses on consumer-driven healthcare and market-based reforms in the healthcare sector. She has published research on healthcare innovation and competition that complements Goodman's work on Health Savings Accounts.
Michael Cannon writes about health policy reform and market-based alternatives to government healthcare programs. His work at the Cato Institute addresses similar themes to Goodman's research on consumer-directed healthcare.
David Henderson analyzes economic policy with an emphasis on free-market solutions and deregulation. His writings on healthcare economics and policy reform share common ground with Goodman's market-oriented approach.
Thomas Sowell examines economic policy issues through a free-market lens and challenges conventional wisdom about government intervention. His analysis of markets and incentives parallels Goodman's work on healthcare economics.
Regina Herzlinger focuses on consumer-driven healthcare and market-based reforms in the healthcare sector. She has published research on healthcare innovation and competition that complements Goodman's work on Health Savings Accounts.
Michael Cannon writes about health policy reform and market-based alternatives to government healthcare programs. His work at the Cato Institute addresses similar themes to Goodman's research on consumer-directed healthcare.
David Henderson analyzes economic policy with an emphasis on free-market solutions and deregulation. His writings on healthcare economics and policy reform share common ground with Goodman's market-oriented approach.