Professor Robert Field has been making numerous appearances across various news media outlets to discuss the Affordable Care Act and his new book, “Mother of Invention: How the Government Created ‘Free-Market’ Health Care,” which was published by Oxford University Press in November and reviewed by the Philadelphia Inquirer on Dec. 1.
On Jan. 3, Field appeared on Al Jazeera America's flagship program, "America Tonight," where he said videos that have been created to discourage young people from purchasing health insurance through the Affordable Care Act are "outrageous."
"You risk financial catastrophe if you get sick. It doesn't matter if you're 18 years old or 65 years old," Field said. "I think to some extent, they're using young people as pawns and putting them substantially at risk."
In a Jan. 3 interview on Marketplace, Field commented on pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS and Walmart offering to fill prescriptions for those who are not yet registered under the ACA due to HealhCare.gov issues.
“They want to be the place that you think of first when you think of health care,” Field said. “If they can be friendly for a 30-day bridge period, it’s a small investment to make in terms of that long-term relationship.”
On Dec. 24, Field appeared on Dutch television to discuss other difficulties the Obama administration has faced with the Affordable Care Act roll out, while on Dec. 12, Field noted on WHYY's Newsworks that overall
health care enrollments have increased.
On Dec. 5, Field appeared on MSNBC's The Cycle to discuss the history behind the Affordable Care Act. Field explained why so many presidents have tried so hard to implement universal health care but failed until President Obama finally succeeded with the Affordable Care Act. "It is a fascinating story how this has played out over the course of a hundred years...there's something about health care that is so emotional...much more so than pensions and social security or even immigration or financial regulation," Field said. Field recounted the long history behind comprehensive health care citing Teddy Roosevelt's call for universal health care back in 1912 through FDR's attempt at the same and President Johnson's struggle to implement Medicaid and Medicare.
Field's book “Mother of Invention: How the Government Created ‘Free Market’ Health Care” traces longstanding government policies that have allowed free enterprise to shape health care delivery in the U.S.
Field is a nationally recognized expert in health care regulation and its role in implementing public policy. He holds a joint appointment as professor of health management and policy at Drexel's School of Public Health.