1. The authors in this chapter evaluated several problems with the American medical system. Which of those problems do you think is the most serious? Are there other issues, outside the ones discussed in the viewpoints, that you think significantly affect the quality of American medicine? Explain your answers.
2. Suzanne Gordon maintains that health maintenance organizations have lessened the quality of American medicine by discouraging doctors from treating sick patients. However, Thomas W. Hazlett asserts that HMOs have improved health care and made it more affordable. Which argument do you find more valid and why?
3. In its viewpoint, the Quality Interagency Coordination Task Force explains the extent of and reasons for fatal medical errors. What steps do you think should be taken to reduce these mistakes? Explain your answer.