Book · 1978 · History
The social transformation of American medicine
Why people recommend it
The Social Transformation of American Medicine by Paul Starr is a comprehensive historical analysis examining how the medical profession gained economic and cultural authority in the United States. On The Ezra Klein Show podcast broadcast on July 2, 2025, guest Matt Glacius discussed the volume during an analytical discussion concerning recent legislative developments in the Senate and ongoing challenges within the healthcare sector. Glacius mentioned that he had recently revisited the classic text because he was actively trying to redirect his attention back toward the complexities of American healthcare policy. By turning to this foundational study, he sought to ground contemporary debates in a deeper understanding of how the current medical system was historically constructed over the course of the past two centuries. The reference highlighted the enduring relevance of the book for policymakers, analysts, and observers trying to make sense of the structural forces shaping modern medical care and health insurance markets in the United States today.
Who recommended it
- Matt Glacius Recommended
Matt Glacius — 1 mention
“But I also revisited Paul Star's classic social transformation of American medicine because I've been trying to get my attention back on the healthcare issue.”