An updated, quick-study reference and introduction to U.S. health care system providers, payers, regulators, clinicians, and their patients. Its easy to use question-and-answer format presents compelling facts and pertinent data on emerging trends, plus details on hospital department infrastructure. The book provides a concise overview with particular emphasis on the hospital and is meant as a short introduction to a very complex subject. Each chapter takes a major segment of the system and provides basic information, data, and coverage of major current issues. Each question-and-answer entry serves as a quick reference for the topic being addressed. Taken as a whole, the book presents a solid view of how the various constituencies in health care fit together. Ample footnoting provides additional resources for more in-depth study. Authoritative, primary sources are used extensively throughout the book. Complete bibliographic citations, including Websites, are provided in reference lists.