While it may be harmful and disingenuous to insist upon a single algorithm or best approach to practicing medicine, it could be helpful to at least provide clear guidance so that physicians would know to avoid certain therapeutic approaches.

The economy assuredly is a critical issue in the upcoming election. But well-informed voters also should be demanding that those wishing to inhabit the Oval Office answer some very tough questions about health entitlements as well.

By next year, about two-thirds of American physicians will be working as salaried employees of large groups and hospitals. This movement has been underway for years. Over the last decade, the number of independent physicians was falling by about 2% a year. But these trends are now accelerating. 

The claim that 20-somethings are more likely to believe they will see flying saucers than collect from Social Security is exaggerated.

Jon Huntsman and Rick Perry boast much better records than Mitt Romney in holding down health expenditures.

Unless strong action is taken, federal health spending will continue to outpace the economy for the indefinite future.

Durably improving health is really, really hard. I've discussed this in the context of drug discovery, which must contend with the ever-more-apparent reality that biology is incredibly complex, and science remarkably fragile. Here, I'd like to focus on another challenge: measuring and improving the quality of patient care.

In this “Health Care 101” guide, Christopher J. Conover, author of the just-released “American Health Economy Illustrated,” distinguishes fact from fiction and answers some of the most fundamental questions about health care and health spending in America.