This course is designed to provide an overview of (1) how health care is financed, organized, and delivered in the U.S., as well as (2) the major policy challenges created by the system’s organization, or lack thereof.  In drawing from a variety of perspectives—including political science, public health, economics and history—the course surveys the key stakeholders: those who pay for, provide and receive care.  It contrasts the different ways that health care providers are paid, how and why reimbursement methods have changed over time, and their consequences for the quality, cost and accessibility of health care services.  Finally, as a case study, the Affordable Care Act will be dissected for the purposes of illustrating the ways in which the U.S. health care system differs from those of other wealthy countries.  No particular disciplinary background is assumed, nor is any special familiarity with the field of health care required.