Health Disparities in the Land of Equality

This chapter argues that the political rights enjoyed by all U.S. citizens are used disproportionately by the better organized and better established. It explains why America has taken halting and ineffective steps to protect the health of its citizens and argues that business and interest groups wield disproportional power, the less advantaged do not participate, and workers are poorly organized. Medicare is a tribute to the powerful impact of the government in improving the lives and health of Americans; however, it is also a testament to the limitations of government actions owing to the disproportionate influence of the organized and better established.